EDITOR
The Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Onesmus Asiimwe, has condemned the growing habit of conducting lessons for students over the weekend, especially on Sundays, saying the practice exhausts learners and denies them time to rest.
Bishop Asiimwe made the remarks on March 11, 2026, during a press briefing at the North Kigezi Diocesan headquarters in Kinyasano. The briefing was held to outline preparations for the upcoming visit of the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Stanley Kazimba Mugalu, who will be bidding farewell to Christians of North Kigezi Diocese ahead of his retirement. The event will also coincide with Bishop Asiimwe’s third anniversary thanksgiving and fundraising efforts toward the completion of the new Emmanuel Cathedral at Kinyasano.
While addressing journalists, Bishop Asiimwe emphasized that education remains an important equalizer between the rich and the poor. However, he criticized the increasing focus on remedial and weekend lessons by some schools, saying the practice places excessive pressure on students and deprives them of time to relax and refresh their minds. He added that prioritizing examination results at the expense of students’ wellbeing is dangerous and contrary to the rules and regulations of the Church of Uganda.
The bishop also highlighted the program for hosting Archbishop Kazimba in the diocese. Activities will begin on Friday, March 13, with a welcoming procession from Kahengye Bridge at the Rukungiri–Ntungamo district boundary. The archbishop will then tour Nyakagyeme Archdeaconry, currently operating at Kasoroza Church of Uganda, before presiding over a farewell and thanksgiving service on Sunday, March 15, at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano.
Bishop Asiimwe explained that his annual thanksgiving is intended to provide accountability to Christians regarding the progress of his 10-point development agenda for the diocese. The agenda focuses on strengthening prayer and Bible reading among Christians, organizing refresher courses for clergy, holding quarterly diocesan fellowships, promoting morning prayers in church-founded schools, mobilizing alumni to support their former schools, establishing a life insurance scheme for clergy, and completing the construction of Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano.
He further declared Sunday, March 15, 2026, a Diocesan Sunday dedicated to bidding farewell to Archbishop Kazimba and celebrating the bishop’s thanksgiving. Bishop Asiimwe announced that all churches under North Kigezi Diocese will suspend their usual services and instead join the main celebration at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano.
