Church rejects MP’s offertory
May 23, 2010
CHRISTIANS of Kayungwe Church of Uganda in Rugyeyo sub-county, Kanungu district last Sunday stunned the Kinkiizi East MP, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, when they rejected his offertory.
By Patson Baraire
CHRISTIANS of Kayungwe Church of Uganda in Rugyeyo sub-county, Kanungu district last Sunday stunned the Kinkiizi East MP, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, when they rejected his offertory.
The rejection of the MP’s contribution followed reports that Baryomunsi had claimed during a radio programme that he was solely behind the development in Kinkiizi Diocese and that this had impoverished him.
Consequently, the diocesan synod met at St. Andrew’s Church, Kihiihi and resolved to demand an apology from the MP over the remarks.
However, Baryomunsi reportedly declined to apologise, arguing that he represents the people who elected him to Parliament, and not the church.
But last Sunday at Kayungwe, Fred Bazirake, the lay leader who was leading the service, picked the money the MP had contributed and returned it to him, saying he was under instructions not to accept it.
The synod has written to all parishes in the diocese not to deal with Baryomunsi on matters concerning church development.
Asked if the church was right to deny Baryomunsi access to his constituents, Bishop Wilson Ntegyereize said the MP was free to reach out to his people, but the church would not accept his offerings any more.
“We shall not accept his offerings any more since he is going around saying that he is the one who has put up several projects in the diocese. I challenge him to name any so that the people can believe in him,†the bishop said.
Ntegyereize recently returned sh1m to the MP after he (MP) allegedly said he donated a cow worth sh500,000 to the bishop.
The stand-off started after the Rev. Kenneth Kanyankore, the coordinator of Kinkiizi Integrated Rural Development Programme which belongs to the diocese, announced his intention to contest for the Kinkiizi East constituency against Baryomunsi.
Baryomunsi said the so- called conflict was mere politicking, which he would deal with when the moment arrived. He argued that he was a seasoned politician and had nothing to do with the church.
CHRISTIANS of Kayungwe Church of Uganda in Rugyeyo sub-county, Kanungu district last Sunday stunned the Kinkiizi East MP, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, when they rejected his offertory.
The rejection of the MP’s contribution followed reports that Baryomunsi had claimed during a radio programme that he was solely behind the development in Kinkiizi Diocese and that this had impoverished him.
Consequently, the diocesan synod met at St. Andrew’s Church, Kihiihi and resolved to demand an apology from the MP over the remarks.
However, Baryomunsi reportedly declined to apologise, arguing that he represents the people who elected him to Parliament, and not the church.
But last Sunday at Kayungwe, Fred Bazirake, the lay leader who was leading the service, picked the money the MP had contributed and returned it to him, saying he was under instructions not to accept it.
The synod has written to all parishes in the diocese not to deal with Baryomunsi on matters concerning church development.
Asked if the church was right to deny Baryomunsi access to his constituents, Bishop Wilson Ntegyereize said the MP was free to reach out to his people, but the church would not accept his offerings any more.
“We shall not accept his offerings any more since he is going around saying that he is the one who has put up several projects in the diocese. I challenge him to name any so that the people can believe in him,†the bishop said.
Ntegyereize recently returned sh1m to the MP after he (MP) allegedly said he donated a cow worth sh500,000 to the bishop.
The stand-off started after the Rev. Kenneth Kanyankore, the coordinator of Kinkiizi Integrated Rural Development Programme which belongs to the diocese, announced his intention to contest for the Kinkiizi East constituency against Baryomunsi.
Baryomunsi said the so- called conflict was mere politicking, which he would deal with when the moment arrived. He argued that he was a seasoned politician and had nothing to do with the church.