By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
NATIONAL
Makere University’s St. Francis Chapel head Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe has been elected the 6th Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese. But some members of the diocese say he might have a difficult time being consecrated the Bishop.
According to a press release by the CoU, Asiimwe will be consecrated and enthroned as Bishop on 12th March 2023 at Emmanuel Cathedral, Kinyansano, Rukungiri.
Difficult Times Awaits
On 14th January, we published a story that sparked off talks among the protestants in the diocese in Rukungiri about the process that was followed to reach at the two names that were forwarded to the house of Bishops. Most groups blaming the caretaker Rt.Bishop Patrick Tusingwire for influencing the nominations committee.
Christians dropped leaflets allover Rukungiri municipal town protesting the episcopal succession process and in the last four days there has been an ongoing collection of signatures from anti-nomination exercise christians to petition the Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu.
In one of the audio footages trending in various WhatsApp groups, a one Brian (surname not known), a member of the diocese has been accusing the Diocesan caretaker of influencing nomination of persons outside the diocese yet Rukungiri has got well educated and qualified religious men.
There are also tribal sentiments in the diocese inwhich the Bahororo of Rujumbura are fighting the Bakiga of being pro-caretaker. This is evidenced in the audio allegedly sent by Brian inwhich he calls the Bakiga ‘primitive’ people incapable of fighting ‘illegalities’ in their diocese.
If not addressed at an infant stage, the new Bishop (Rev Onesimus Asiimwe) is likely to face stiff opposition among the flock.
Profile
Rev . Onesmus was born on 24th April 1965 in Mparo, Rukiga District. He was born again on 8th January 1988. After a night of heavy alcohol drinking, he heard the Lord say to him the next morning, “’Onesimus, do you not know that your body is the Temple of God?’ In response to the voice, I threw away the cigarette dangling between my fingers and called on Jesus for salvation. The Holy Spirit convicted me to repent of my sins and to make a public confession of my new found faith, which I did that very evening during our family prayer time and a couple of days later in our local church in Kihanga.”
Rev Onesimus earned a Master of Divinity from Uganda Christian University, a Bachelor of Education from Makerere University, and a Diploma in Education.
He is married to Florence Asiimwe and God blessed them with three children.
