By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
RUKUNGIRI
Rt Rev Onesimus Asiimwe has been consecrated as the 6th Bishop of North Kigezi diocese with a call on him to be a good shepherd who should not engage in Politics. The call was made by Archbishop emeritus Luke Orombi who delivered today’s sermon at a colorful consecration ceremony held at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasaano.
The consecration which was attended by thousands of people was preceded by the reading of the minutes of Bishop Asiimwes Election by the House of Bishops. Bishop Asiimwe was elected by the Church of Uganda House of Bishops, while sitting at Lweza Training Conference Centre on January 18, as the new Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese after Bishop Benon Magezi who succumbed to Covid-19 in 2021.
Bishop Asiimwe was consecrated and enthroned and declared as the new bishop of North Kigezi diocese by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Magalu at 11:00am.
Archbishop Kazimba handed over Bible, church of Uganda Constitution and canons to Bishop Asiimwe and gave him a go head to read, Exhortation and doctrine and asked him to think about them, be diligent in them and take heed of himself and to doctrine and be diligent in doing them, be the flock of Christ a shepherd not wolf but feed them.
Archbishop Kaziimba also handed over the pastoral staff and diocese to officially start ministry as the Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese and also dedicated the new cathedral into the hand of God.
Today’s preacher, Rt Rev Henry Luke Orombi said that in 1997 while at St Peters Cathedral Bweranyangi during a conference took him up and moved with Bishop Onesmus everywhere by the time he was his Chaplain simply because he wanted him to know what he was doing. Archbishop Orombi asked Bishop Asiimwe to be a good shepherd, desist from political engagements, be an example, humble, put trust in God and serve Christians diligently.
In his message, Bishop Asiimwe said that he will put emphasis on boosting corporate and healing services in all churches for revival, prioritize Bible sharing groups and fellowships in every congregation, organize annual refresher courses for clergy and promote bible based principles for strong and resilient families, fighting specifically gender based violence and homosexuality.
Bishop Asiimwe also promised to advocate for strong children and youth programs to empower them to resist worldly temptations and false promises, institute daily morning assemblies in all Church of Uganda founded schools and institutions, mobilize local and diaspora stakeholders to upgrade schools and educational standards, growth of Diocesan SACCO and promote village savings programs and complete the cathedral building project among others.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in his message delivered by Vice President Rtd Maj Jessica Alupo who attended as the chief guest said there is need for Revival restructuring in communities and Church.
President Museveni also donated a brand new car Prado UBN 020 to Bishop Asiimwe to help him in his ministry of Evangelism.
During the same function, the Christians of Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano surprised Maama Gladys with a brand new car. Maama Gladys is the wife to the late Rt Rev Benon Magezi who succumbed to Covid-19 in 2021. The North Kigezi diocese thanked her in memory of the late Bishop Benon Magezi for the good work he had done for the diocese.
