The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Rev. Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu has reappointed Rev. John Charles Odurkami as the caretaker Bishop of Kumi Diocese.

In a letter dated January 8, 2021, the Archbishop extended his gratitude to Bishop Odurkami for the work he has been doing in caretaking Kumi Diocese and appreciated the challenges he has gone through.

"Following the pending process and activities in the Diocese, this is to request you to continue as caretaker Bishop of Kumi Diocese until a substantive Bishop is elected and consecrated," the letter reads in part.

Following the retirement of Rev. Thomas Edison Irigei on December 29, 2019, and the subsequent challenges in the election of his successor, the Archbishop as per the Church of Uganda provincial canons took over the see of the Diocese.

When contacted on the reappointment, Bishop Odurkami said he was grateful for the responsibility entrusted to him and appreciated the confidence the Archbishop has in him.

He promised to serve diligently and selflessly for the betterment of the Church of Christ.

Bishop Odurkami was enthroned in April 2001 as the 2nd bishop of Lango Diocese after Bishop Melchizedek Otim, a position he held until 2017 when he handed over the See to Rev. Prof. Alfred Olwa.

In 2014, he was appointed as caretaker bishop in Kitgum following the retirement of Bishop Benjamin Ojwang until 2018 when he handed over to Rev. Wilson Kitara.

He also served as the Chaplain to the late Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo.

Charles Okunya was elected Bishop of Kumi on November 7 but the election was overturned by the House of Bishops on grounds that he had forged his age.