Dr. Olwa to be consecrated as Lango's bishop

Residents of Ayile ‘A' village in Aromo Sub County, Lira district are excited as they wait for the consecration and installation of Bishop-elect of Lango diocese Rev. Canon Dr Alfred Olwa. 

The House of Bishops in Namirembe, Kampala, three months ago elected Olwa as the successor of the outgoing Bishop John Charles Odurkami of Lango diocese.

"God has heard our prayer because this child grew up as an upright person and has never had disputes with any person," said Moses Alunga, 60, a cousin to Olwa.

Synod of Lango diocese submitted Olwa`s names and Rev. William Ongeng to the House of bishops for the replacement of Rev Odurkami, who was retiring.

Sarah Nemhia, 31, Olwa`s house keeper in Ayile, described him as an intelligent person, prayerful and one with focus in whatever he does.

"I was overjoyed when I heard the news from local radio station in Lira that he was elected and will soon be consecrated," she said.

According to Nemhia, Olwa organized family prayer at his home in 2016 before moving back to Mukono where he works.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be the guest of honour at the consecration ceremony of Rev. Canon Dr Olwa on Sunday August 13, 2017 at Boroboro Cathedral Church in Adekokwok sub-county, Lira district.   

Education back ground

Olwa went to Namasale Primary School from P1-P5 (1971-1975) and relocated to Akalo Primary in Kole district for two years.

He completed his upper primary at Akore Primary School in Aromo sub-county, Lira district (1979-1980).

After passing PLE, Olwa went to Aboke High School (1981-1982)

He moved from Aboke to study at Ngai SS where he completed his O and A level between 1983-1987.

In 1990 Olwa joined Bishop Tucker Theological College, Mukono where he graduated with Diploma in Theology.

In 1995, he started pursuing his bachelor's degree in theology at Makerere University and graduated in1998.

The reverence of Lango Diocese welcomethe Lango Bishop elect Rev. Canon Dr. Alfred Olwa and his wife Rev. Hellen Susan Olwa at Boroboro, in Lira.

 
He did his post graduate diploma in Aspects of Biblical Interpretation at Brunel University, Uxbridge; London Bible College from 2000 - 2001.

He then pursued a master's degree at Brunel University, Uxbridge; London Bible College.

Olwa got his Doctorate (PhD) from University of Western Sydney; Moore College, Sydney in Australia in 2012 after completing four years  of study  and presented  thesis on ‘Missionary of Reconciliation: The Role of the Doctrine of Reconciliation in the Preaching of Festo Kivengere of Uganda, 1971- 1988.'

Work Experience

In 2002, Olwa was a lecturer at Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology where he was Head of the Department of Theology (Faculty of Theology) 2002-2004.

In 2005, he supervised and was overseer of a major curriculum review and writing new courses for the Faculty of Divinity and Theology.

From 2004-2008, he was the first sitting Dean of Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology (Faculty of Theology).

2012 — 2014 he was for a second time Head of Practical Studies Department, Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology.

In 2014 Olwa was for the second time Dean Faculty of Theology and senior lecturer in the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology.

In 2015, he was member of University Council Board (and Student and Welfare Committee).

That same year, Olwa was member of the University Search Committee for the principal of Bishop Barham University College, Kabale.

From January to April this year, he was the acting Deputy Vice Chancellor development and external relations.

Faith Journey

Dr. Olwa began his journey in Christ when he was baptized in 1975 at Namasale Church of Uganda. 

Three years later, he was confirmed by then Bishop of Lango Diocese Rt. Rev. Melchizedek Otim. On April 2, 1982, he became a born again Christian.

He started moving up the ladder of the Church of Uganda leadership when in 1990, he was appointed the Deacon of St. Augustine Church of Uganda, Lira, by then Bishop Rt. Rev.Otim.

He served as curate of Lira Urban Parish from 1990-1992.

Between 1993-1998, he was Chaplain Uganda government prison and Chaplain Lira Hospital.

In 1994, he was appointed priest at St. Peter's Church of Uganda, Dokolo, by Rt. Rev. Otim.

From 1999 -2000, Olwa was appointed and served as Archdeacon of Lira and Diocesan Secretary of the Diocese of Lango, and was in 2008, made Canon Theologian of All Saint's Cathedral, Boroboro.