Ankole Diocese ordains 17 priests and deacons

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The Bishop of Ankole Diocese, Rt Rev. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, has ordained 17 priests and deacons. Of these, 13 were ordained, three were priested, and one was canonised.

The ordination ceremony, which attracted hundreds of Christians from across the diocese, took place on Sunday at the Bishop’s Grounds in Mbarara city.

Those ordained from the diaconate to the priesthood include Rev Abaho Joram, Rev Atwebembeire Amon, Rev. Bitarabeho Edison, Rev. Bukabeeba Elisamu and Rev. Kweyamba Robert.

Others are Rev. Mpagi Erinest, Rev. Mutsigazi Fred, Rev. Nahwera Costance, Rev. Niwabasa Nicodemus, Rev. Nuwamanya Abias and Rev. Tukahirwa Apophia.
Ven. Rev. Apollo Tweteise was made a canon, while those ordained as deacons were Jobu Monday, Katsigazi Richard and Namara Betty.

Bishop Edward Bamucwanira, who served as guest preacher and led the retreat for the ordinands, encouraged them to use every opportunity to do good to all Christians, with particular focus on those in the community of faith.

He urged them to use their positions to inspire believers not to grow weary in doing good.

During the same ceremony, Bishop Mwesigwa deployed the newly ordained clergy and transferred others to different stations.

In his message, Bishop Mwesigwa urged Christians to cooperate with the priests and deacons assigned to their areas and to work towards developing their parishes and archdeaconries.

He cautioned them against undermining development projects implemented by the Church.

Bishop Mwesigwa also advised the ordinands to fix their eyes on the cross of Jesus. He renewed his appeal to Christians to embrace regular medical check-ups, emphasising the importance of prostate cancer screening for men and cervical and breast cancer screening for women.

Dr Alice Mwesigwa thanked the Christians for turning up in large numbers to witness the ceremony.