MUGABE R
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu, has urged Christians and members of the clergy to support church activities and avoid protesting during deployments and the implementation of church projects.
The Archbishop made the call while presiding over a farewell and annual thanksgiving service organized by the Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Onesmus Asiimwe, at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano in Western Division, Rukungiri Municipality.
Dr. Kazimba Mugalu visited the diocese to bid farewell to Christians as he prepares for his retirement scheduled for August 17, 2027. During the service, Bishop Asiimwe also presented his annual thanksgiving as a way of demonstrating accountability for the priorities undertaken in the diocese each year.
In his sermon, the Archbishop commended Bishop Asiimwe for continuing the work that was started by the late Bishop Benon Magezi, particularly in expanding evangelism and establishing new churches across the diocese. He also encouraged clergy members not to ignore church initiatives started by their predecessors and cautioned Christians against resisting new deployments of clergy, emphasizing that all plans within the church are guided by God and are intended to benefit the community.
The Rujumbura County Member of Parliament and Minister for Security, Hon. Jim Muhwezi, delivered a message from the Vice President of Uganda, Major (Rtd) Jesca Alupo, who was the guest of honor. In the message, the Vice President praised the partnership between the church and government in promoting development and urged the leadership of North Kigezi Diocese to continue prioritizing efforts aimed at fighting household poverty.
Bishop Onesmus Asiimwe thanked Archbishop Kazimba Mugalu for his leadership and contributions to the development of the Church of Uganda, noting that significant progress had been made in infrastructure development and strengthening fellowship within the church. He pledged to sustain innovations aimed at promoting further development in the diocese.
Rukungiri District Woman Member of Parliament-elect Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo Kebirungi also commended Bishop Asiimwe for his inclusive leadership and thanked the people of Rukungiri for the trust they placed in her during the recent general elections.
The Head of Laity in North Kigezi Diocese, Turyabe Abel Matiita, appreciated the government for its continued collaboration with the church in development and appealed for more support towards the completion of Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano.
During the thanksgiving service, the Vice President contributed 10 million shillings towards the cathedral’s completion, while Hon. Jim Muhwezi contributed 5 million shillings and Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo Kebirungi donated 1 million shillings. In total, more than 238 million shillings and over 200 bags of cement were raised to support the completion of Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano.
