Archbishop Kaziimba Bids Farewell to North Kigezi Diocese at Bishop Asiimwe’s 3rd Anniversary Thanksgiving

Rukungiri: The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has today March 15, bid farewell to North Kigezi Diocese during a thanksgiving service marking the third anniversary of the Episcopal ministry of the diocesan bishop.

The thanksgiving service was held at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano grounds on Kinyasano Hill in Western Division, Rukungiri Municipality. Christians from across the diocese and other well-wishers gathered to celebrate the milestone.

While delivering his sermon, Archbishop Kaziimba urged clergy to continue and complete church projects started by their predecessors. He noted that some church leaders abandon projects initiated by former leaders and instead start new ones in order to claim credit.

He emphasized that such behavior is not right because church projects are meant to serve God rather than individual leaders.

The Archbishop appreciated the Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Onesimus Asiimwe, for continuing with the construction of the cathedral church that was started by the former bishop, Benon Magezi, who died of COVID-19 in 2021.

He also warned Christians against refusing to cooperate with church leaders assigned to serve them. Some believers, he said, reject clergy because they come from outside their local areas. The Archbishop stressed that church leaders serve in God’s ministry, which has no boundaries.

Archbishop Kaziimba further encouraged Christians to build a strong relationship with Jesus Christ, saying that God never abandons his people even during difficult moments such as sickness, debt, lack of school fees, or business failure. He urged believers to trust in God, saying He can answer prayers even at the last minute.

He also thanked God for the strong prayer ministry in North Kigezi Diocese.

In his remarks, Bishop Asiimwe thanked the retiring Archbishop for being a strong pillar in the Church of Uganda and for the development he has promoted within the church. He specifically praised him for helping to clear a debt of about UGX 14 billion on Uganda House and for promoting dialogue and reconciliation within the church.

Bishop Asiimwe also appreciated the Archbishop for standing firm against homosexuality in the Church of Uganda.

The Minister for Security, Jim Muhwezi Katugugu, who represented the Chief Guest, the Vice President Jessica Alupo, thanked both Archbishop Kaziimba and Bishop Asiimwe for preaching hope and promoting development in communities through church-founded schools and health facilities.

Bishop Asiimwe was consecrated as the sixth Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese on March 12, 2023. He was elected by the House of Bishops on January 18, 2023, replacing the late Bishop Benon Magezi.

The function concluded with tree planting, during which more than UGX 200 million and 300 bags of cement were raised to support church projects.