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Amuria comes alive as Soroti Diocese celebrates Bishop Odongo’s seven years of ministry
This was the first time the diocesan anniversary celebration had been taken outside St. Peter’s Cathedral in Soroti City. The choice of Amuria was symbolic. Bishop Odongo, now 55, was born and raised in the district, making the event something of a homecoming for the son of the soil.
Amuria comes alive as Soroti Diocese celebrates Bishop Odongo’s seven years of ministry
By: Godfrey Ojore, Journalist @New Vision
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On Sunday, June 21, Amuria town transformed into a carnival of faith, music and celebration.
The air around St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Amuria vibrated with melodious hymns, rhythmic cultural dances and energetic performances from school children as thousands of Christians gathered to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the consecration and enthronement of Bishop Kosea Odongo as Bishop of Soroti Diocese.
From the early hours of the morning, streams of worshippers arrived from across Teso and neighbouring Karamoja, turning the church grounds into a sea of colourful gomesis, suits and traditional attire. By midday, the small Amuria town was full of believers.
The celebration was not only a spiritual nourishment for the faithful; it was also a windfall for local businesses. Restaurants emptied their saucepans long before sunset, while shopkeepers watched their refrigerators surrender their last cold drinks to thirsty Christians.
"It was like Christmas arrived six months early," remarked one trader as customers continued searching for soft drinks.
This was the first time the diocesan anniversary celebration had been taken outside St. Peter’s Cathedral in Soroti City. The choice of Amuria was symbolic. Bishop Odongo, now 55, was born and raised in the district, making the event something of a homecoming for the son of the soil.
Perhaps the most captivating performance came from the cultural troupe of St. Philip’s Church, Moroto. Dressed in dazzling traditional regalia and armed with infectious energy, the performers from Karamoja stole the show. Their dances drew thunderous applause, with some spectators joking that even the sick would have forgotten their ailments long enough to join the dancing.
For Grace Itamula, one of the organisers, the event was a labour of love. "We spent a whole year preparing for this day because we wanted to give our son the best celebration possible. He means so much to us as the first Anglican bishop from this area," she said with a broad smile.
Julius Engemu from Kapelebyong District said the decision to hold the event in Amuria had brought church leadership closer to ordinary believers.
"It was like Christmas arrived six months early," remarked one trader as customers continued searching for soft drinks.
This was the first time the diocesan anniversary celebration had been taken outside St. Peter’s Cathedral in Soroti City. The choice of Amuria was symbolic. Bishop Odongo, now 55, was born and raised in the district, making the event something of a homecoming for the son of the soil.
Perhaps the most captivating performance came from the cultural troupe of St. Philip’s Church, Moroto. Dressed in dazzling traditional regalia and armed with infectious energy, the performers from Karamoja stole the show. Their dances drew thunderous applause, with some spectators joking that even the sick would have forgotten their ailments long enough to join the dancing.
For Grace Itamula, one of the organisers, the event was a labour of love. "We spent a whole year preparing for this day because we wanted to give our son the best celebration possible. He means so much to us as the first Anglican bishop from this area," she said with a broad smile.
Julius Engemu from Kapelebyong District said the decision to hold the event in Amuria had brought church leadership closer to ordinary believers.
"When all major church activities are held at the diocesan headquarters, many Christians in the villages are left behind. Bringing this celebration here has renewed hope and strengthened our connection to the church leadership," Engemu said.
The guest preacher, Bishop Paul Hannington Suubi of East Busoga Diocese, appeared equally captivated by the occasion.
Accompanied by his wife, Dr Margaret Stella Suubi, Bishop Suubi described the warm reception as overwhelming. "I feel at home and very happy," Bishop Suubi said.
His wife offered a humorous comparison between the two dioceses. "We are still a toddler learning how to walk as a diocese. When we come here, we are coming to learn from adults," she said, drawing laughter from the congregation.
Fr. Waziwazi Ongereny, the Soroti diocesan chancellor of the Catholic church, who represented Bishop Joseph Eciru Oliach, said the achievements of Bishop Odongo were testimony that God has been behind him.
In his sermon, Bishop Suubi challenged Soroti Diocese not to view seven years as a destination reached but as the beginning of a new chapter.
"Guard the deposit of faith. Continue preaching the undiluted Word of God without fear or favour in a world where moral values are constantly shifting," he urged.
Suubi called upon church leaders to invest heavily in nurturing young people who will become the future custodians of the faith.
When his turn came to speak, Bishop Odongo reflected on his journey with humility and emotion. "I refuse to be a king. I choose to be your shepherd," he told the congregation.
The bishop also asked for forgiveness from anyone he may have offended during his seven years of ministry, drawing warm applause from the faithful.
As the sixth bishop of Soroti Diocese, one of the oldest dioceses in the Church of Uganda, Bishop Odongo has earned recognition for church planning, clergy training, evangelism and construction of church infrastructure across the diocese.
Rev. Canon Samuel Ediau, the diocesan secretary, described Bishop Odongo as a straightforward and deeply faithful leader.
"He is a front-and-chest fighter. He tells you exactly what he thinks, what he likes and what he does not like. Above all, he is a man of faith," Ediau said.
The diocesan head of laity, Samuel Enyutu, credited Bishop Odongo for restoring unity within the diocese.
"He inherited a diocese that had cracks of disunity, but today, the church is more united, and Christians are happier," Enyutu said.
The event attracted several dignitaries, including the Iteso Paramount Chief, Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot, and more than 10 Members of Parliament from the Teso sub-region.
Emolot praised Bishop Odongo for embracing cultural heritage and creating space for traditional dances within church celebrations.
"Cultural performances help preserve our identity and bring people together. We appreciate the bishop for recognising their value," he said.
As evening approached and worshippers began their journeys home, the songs gradually faded from the church grounds. Yet the memories of joyful dances, inspiring sermons, laughter, and fellowship still lingered.
Who is Bishop Kosea Odongo?
Bishop Kosea Odongo was born on January 12, 1971, in Amuria District. He holds a Master of Theology and a Bachelor of Divinity from Uganda Christian University, Mukono, as well as a Higher Diploma in Theology from Carlile College in Nairobi, Kenya.
He has attended numerous leadership, ministry and theological training programmes. He was consecrated and enthroned as Bishop of Soroti Diocese on June 16, 2019.
The guest preacher, Bishop Paul Hannington Suubi of East Busoga Diocese, appeared equally captivated by the occasion.
Accompanied by his wife, Dr Margaret Stella Suubi, Bishop Suubi described the warm reception as overwhelming. "I feel at home and very happy," Bishop Suubi said.
His wife offered a humorous comparison between the two dioceses. "We are still a toddler learning how to walk as a diocese. When we come here, we are coming to learn from adults," she said, drawing laughter from the congregation.
Fr. Waziwazi Ongereny, the Soroti diocesan chancellor of the Catholic church, who represented Bishop Joseph Eciru Oliach, said the achievements of Bishop Odongo were testimony that God has been behind him.
In his sermon, Bishop Suubi challenged Soroti Diocese not to view seven years as a destination reached but as the beginning of a new chapter.
"Guard the deposit of faith. Continue preaching the undiluted Word of God without fear or favour in a world where moral values are constantly shifting," he urged.
Suubi called upon church leaders to invest heavily in nurturing young people who will become the future custodians of the faith.
When his turn came to speak, Bishop Odongo reflected on his journey with humility and emotion. "I refuse to be a king. I choose to be your shepherd," he told the congregation.
The bishop also asked for forgiveness from anyone he may have offended during his seven years of ministry, drawing warm applause from the faithful.
As the sixth bishop of Soroti Diocese, one of the oldest dioceses in the Church of Uganda, Bishop Odongo has earned recognition for church planning, clergy training, evangelism and construction of church infrastructure across the diocese.
Rev. Canon Samuel Ediau, the diocesan secretary, described Bishop Odongo as a straightforward and deeply faithful leader.
"He is a front-and-chest fighter. He tells you exactly what he thinks, what he likes and what he does not like. Above all, he is a man of faith," Ediau said.
The diocesan head of laity, Samuel Enyutu, credited Bishop Odongo for restoring unity within the diocese.
"He inherited a diocese that had cracks of disunity, but today, the church is more united, and Christians are happier," Enyutu said.
The event attracted several dignitaries, including the Iteso Paramount Chief, Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot, and more than 10 Members of Parliament from the Teso sub-region.
Emolot praised Bishop Odongo for embracing cultural heritage and creating space for traditional dances within church celebrations.
"Cultural performances help preserve our identity and bring people together. We appreciate the bishop for recognising their value," he said.
As evening approached and worshippers began their journeys home, the songs gradually faded from the church grounds. Yet the memories of joyful dances, inspiring sermons, laughter, and fellowship still lingered.
Who is Bishop Kosea Odongo?
Bishop Kosea Odongo was born on January 12, 1971, in Amuria District. He holds a Master of Theology and a Bachelor of Divinity from Uganda Christian University, Mukono, as well as a Higher Diploma in Theology from Carlile College in Nairobi, Kenya.
He has attended numerous leadership, ministry and theological training programmes. He was consecrated and enthroned as Bishop of Soroti Diocese on June 16, 2019.