President Museveni has urged the people of Luweero to work with the new Anglican bishop to promote unity and address challenges that undermine spiritual growth and development in the area.
The President also re-echoed his messages to religious leaders to lead and help transform the lives of the faithful through holistic spiritual guidance and leadership
This was contained in his message delivered by the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, at the consecration of Rev Wilson Kisekka as the fourth bishop of Luweero Anglican Diocese held in Luweero yesterday.
“I congratulate the people of Luweero now that you have a new bishop. I also congratulate caretaker Bishop James Ssebagala who took over the shepherd role when the 3rd bishop retired. A holistic and relevant Church ministry must embrace other human needs on top of spirituality,” Mr Museveni added.
He said about 38 percent of Ugandans are still under subsistence farming, something he said, has tied them in persistent poverty.
“This is very dangerous because in addition to food, we need to generate income to meet other basic life needs. This is the major reason why Church leaders have to play a pivotal role in ensuring that the message they preach is holistic. Poverty should not derail us from serving God. A wealthy Christian will serve God happily,” added Mr Museveni who also pledged Shs50m as support towards the new bishop and the diocese.
Church of Uganda Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, who presided over the consecration ceremony, equated the search for the fourth bishop of Luweero, which has taken close to two years, to the 40-year biblical journey of the Israelites in the desert.
“I appeal for unity and continued development in the greater Luweero area now that we have a bishop. Days of lamenting and grumbling by a section of the people of Luweero are long gone. We need to have our hands busy with the right activities. You should work and support your new bishop,” he said.
Archbishop Kaziimba further rallied the nation on peace, which, he said, is a God-given resource that must be jealously guarded.
“Without peace, the Church and the whole nation will not be able to function as far as development and transformation are concerned. We repent of the bloodshed through road accidents, land wrangles among many other life-threatening incidents. God is our provider and healer,” he said.
Bishop Kisekka promised to dedicate a bigger share of his work in peacebuilding, bringing about harmony, and transforming the Church through the different programmes already initiated by the past bishops in the diocese.
“I will also fight to protect the environment through nature conservation programmes, ensure the welfare of Church ministers, and preach the Word of God. We have a lot of land that should be put to use to guard against selfish people who would take it away. We should also strengthen the education in our Church-founded schools,” he said.
Bishop Kisekka succeeds Bishop Eridard Nsubuga Kironde who retired after clocking the mandatory retirement age of 65 years in July 2023.
At the time Bishop Nsubuga retired, the House of Bishops had revoked the consecration process of the then Bishop-elect, Rev Can Godfrey Kasana, on June 28, 2023. The archbishop appointed a caretaker bishop to steer the diocese for a period of eight months as the Church leadership held a fresh nomination process.