By Gilbert Akampa Kakurugu,
KISORO
The Rt Rev Godfrey Mbitse has today been consecrated as the 3rd Bishop of Muhabura diocese with a call on him to be a Bishop of all people regardless of their religious affiliation and customs.
This call was made by the Bishop of Kinkizi Diocese, the Rt Rev Dan Zoreka in his sermon at a consecration ceremony held at St. Peters Cathedral Seseme, the diocesan headquarters.
Bishop Zoreka implored Bishop Mbitse not to be a Bishop of Church of Uganda only but be a Bishop of all people and not to segregate them despite of their religious affiliations. Bishop Zoreka also told Christians of Muhabura Diocese to receive Bishop Mbitse as a God chosen leader, co-operate with him so that he executes his works as a good shepherd.
The Provincial Secretary of Church of Uganda, Rev. Canon William Ongeng, read the citation of the minutes in part that the House of Bishops sitting at Uganda Christian University (UCU) in Mukono elected Bishop Mbitse on February 25 2023 to be a chief shepherd of Muhabura Diocese.
Flanked by his wife Annah Mbitse, children, and a group of other church leaders, Bishop Mbitse accepted God’s responsibility to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts, live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present world, be faithful in ordaining, making canons and laying his hands upon Christians, be merciful for Christ’s sake to the poor and needy people and all strangers destitute with the words “I will do so, by the help of God” with loud chants and cheers from the faithful after being examined by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the most Rev Dr Steven Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu in certain Articles.
Archbishop Kaziimba handed over Bible, church of Uganda Constitution and canons to Bishop Mbitse and gave him a go head to read, exhortation and doctrine them asking 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 declared Bishop Mbitse at 11:55AM and also handed over the pastoral staff and diocese to officially assume ministry as the Bishop of Muhabura Diocese.
In attendence also was the Bishop Emeritus of Muhabura Diocese, the Rt Rev Cranmer Mugisha who thanked God for the good Journey in Ministry since he was ordained as a deacon in 1991. Bishop Cranmer appreciated the clergy and Christians of Muhabura Diocese for the support and love during his tenure as the Diocesan Bishop.
In his charge as newly enthroned bishop, Rt Rev Mbitse pledged to collaborate with the government to improve standards of Church of Uganda founded schools, uplift health hygiene and sanitation, household income through commercial agriculture, intensive farming and promote food storage and marketing. Bishop Mbitse also promised to enhance human resource development, focus on mission and Evangelism, children ministry, ministry to the youth, men and boy child and complete the construction of new cathedral under construction.
The Chief guest who was the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, (Rtd)Major Jessica Alupo who represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni called on all the believers to support the new Bishop in order to develop their diocese.
