By Kitts D.Mabonga
NAMUGONGO WAKISO
The government of Uganda continues to secure global accolades because of its good policies that bring about peace, harmony, as well as freedom of worship, the achievements that have brought about tangible development.
As a result, the International Holy Synod of Bishops sitting in the United States has appreciated the great contribution made by the Evangelical Orthodox Church in Uganda for her relentless efforts in preaching the word of God as well as spreading messages of encouragement to its flock to participate in economic empowerment programs to fight poverty.
The Synod at its special sitting in the state of Indiana in the USA responded by passing a resolution on 4th November 2022 appointing two Ugandan clergymen and a Congolese national to the prestigious positions of Auxiliary Bishop to help address the needs and challenges of the steadily growing and expanding Evangelical Orthodox church in Uganda.
Among the Ugandans who were appointed includes Dr.John Baptist Matovu and Rev Fr. Joseph Bizibu Birungi. Other was Fr. Bruno Muhindo Sikiryamuba from Democratic Republic of Cong (DRC).
The minister of state for Kampala Metropolitan affairs Christopher Kabuye Kyofatogabye and Kawempe division deputy Resident City Commission (RCC) Yasin Ndide represented the ordaining ceremony.
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The new Auxiliary Bishops tasked to work under the Principal Bishop of this church in Uganda Bishop Jacinto Kibuuka in imparting positive messages of both spiritual and emotional sustenance as well as encouraging their flock to support government programs as they go along with worship crusade sessions.
Previously Dr.Matovu worked as the church’s Secretary General, while Birungi served as national church pastoral coordinator. Muhindo has been caretaker administrator of the church activities in the Jungles of Northern Kivu province of the DR.Congo respectively.
Speaking during the ceremony, Kyofatogabye congratulated the Synod for taking such a confidence building decision by appointing Ugandans to serve in those key clergymen positions saying the government would continue ensuring that freedom of worship is highly respected and shall remain the fundamental right of all citizens regardless of status.
‘As government we wish to congratulate the International Holy Synod of Bishops for giving chance to qualified Ugandan nationals to serve in those respective high level capacities which action sends a clear message that the NRM government respects freedoms of worship and shall continue to work with the Evangelical Orthodox church in ensuring that the church encourages people to fight poverty through participating in economic empowerment programs’ said Kyofatogabye.
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The colorful ceremony was held at the Church’s Mamre International prayer palace headquarters Janda, Namugongo recently, attracted over 200 guests from Wakiso district. Others include Gerald Nangoli, Elgon county MP Bulambuli district who appealed to the church flock across the country to join SACCOs because the government has injected a lot of funds like PDM, Emyooga and other economic empowerment program geared towards fighting community and household poverty.
The former state minister for general duties office of the prime minister and EX.Luwero district chairman Alhajji Abdu Naduuli in his brief remarks to the congregation challenged the youth to embrace government programs which are within their immediate localities as it was the path they can use to fight poverty as opposed to keeping on lamenting about poverty yet they are not embracing income generating projects.
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Other high level dignitaries included Dr.Kakuba Christian the CEO Chritabel consult Ltd and Sarah Ayero a senior lecturer at Kyambogo university and senior members of clergy drawn from several different shades of religious opinion among others.
Bishop Kibuuka as host of the event congratulated the new team for being entrusted with such high level responsibility saying they need to work with all stakeholders in ensuring that they effectively serve both their almighty God and mankind.
He urged the government to address challenges raised by the population like tackling the monster corruption animal which has become a great concern to everyone as it directly retards the economic development agenda of the country.
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He also decried the escalating and deliberate acts of nepotism among government functionaries saying there should be fairness, justice and equity for all given that we all have a stake as well as belonging to this country as our home.