Ugee

Mbale COU diocese gets new Bishop

Rev. Canon Patrick Gidudu has today been consecrated and enthroned as the seventh bishop of Mbale Diocese in Eastern Uganda.(reports from Uganda media Centre). The ceremony was presided over by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, in Mbale Municipality. The new bishop was ordained in 1985 and became a priest in 1986. He previously worked as curate in Nabumali parish and St. Andrew’s Cathedral and thereafter held numerous positions with the church. By the time of his elevation to Bishop, he was warden at St. Andrew’s Community Centre, Mbale Diocese. Bishop Gidudu has replaced retired Rt. Rev. Samwiri Wabulakha. He trained for priesthood at Mukono Theological College and Oakhill Theological College for his Bachelor’s degree in Theology. He is married to Hannah with whom they have 5 children. The new bishop was born to a Muslim father and only became a Christian at the age of 17 years. President Museveni was the chief guest at the consecration ceremony and was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Janet Museveni. UPC President Mama Miria Obote also attended the ceremony. Mr. Museveni saluted the Bishops of Africa for resisting a disoriented culture of homosexuality which is being pushed to Africa by Europeans. He called on Archbishop Orombi not to fear in the fight against this disorientation adding that he is strongly opposed to this decadence. The President also said that it is unfortunate that African culture like music and art were deemed satanic in the past. He was, however, happy to note that African music and art are now being used in the church. He called on the congregation to make money genuinely and shun corruption. He said that the challenge now is to stand firm as Africans and uphold out values. “If we are weak we shall be overtaken”, he said Mr. Museveni said that over 267 companies have been registered in Uganda saying these are too few to absorb the available workforce. He said that each homestead in the country should be a company where people can use them for both residential and commercial purposes using commercial agriculture as a fulcrum. The President called on all bishops in the country to encourage the people to work hard noting that laziness is un Christian. Archbishop Orombi congratulated Bishop Gidudu over his new appointment and wished Bishop Emeritus Wabulakha a peaceful and fruitful retirement. He reminded Rt. Rev. Gidudu that he has taken on the role of Bishop not to be served but to serve and always bear in mind that he is accountable to God the Almighty. Archbishop Orombi re-affirmed to President Museveni that the Church of Uganda strongly opposes homosexuality adding that she will support government in its efforts to fight corruption. He appealed to the President not to give up on the peace process in Northern Uganda. In his maiden charge, Bishop Patrick Wabulakha pledged to work hand in hand with all the departments of the Diocese to further cement the roots of Christianity among the people of his Diocese.

 

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