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Having served as a lay leader since 1969 in Ankore Diocese, Eriyasafu Sserwadda, the father to Col. Edith Nakalema, the new head of the State House Investors Protection Unit has been ordained to full Reverend.

The Central Buganda diocesan bishop, the Right Rev. Michael Lubowa, ordained Sserwadda, also giving him special duties of coordinating the ministry of the elderly in the diocese. 

The Sunday, May 28 event took place at St. John’s Cathedral Kasaka, Central Buganda Diocese in Gomba district, and left seven deacons and 45 reverend deacons, including Sserwadda ordained.

Col. Edith Nakalema, the head of the State House Investors' Protection Unit introduces her husband, Lt. Col. Jimmy Asizua and their two children at the congregation. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)

In his remarks, Bishop Lubowa appealed to all people of goodwill to financially support the sh3b pension house project he has started, from which the clergy will get an income. 

He also launched a fundraising drive for the construction of a sh3b commercial Pension House for the retired clergy.

Explaining the project, the bishop explained that he recently informed President Yoweri Museveni about the pension scheme project and expected him to contribute. He thanked him for his previous contributions to many projects. 

Col. Nakalema's father, Rev. Eriyasafu Sserwadda was ordained by the Central Buganda bishop, Michael Lubowa at St. John's Cathedral Kasaka in Gomba district on Sunday. He was accompanied by his wife Midrace.

During the ceremony, Col. Nakalema and her team that included her siblings, relatives, and friends including Gen. David Muhoozi, the state minister for Internal Affairs contributed sh5m cash for the project. 

Others were Justice Alice Khaukha and her husband Andrew Khaukha and Paul Kajina, husband to Allen Kagina, the executive director of Uganda National Roads Authority. 

Col. Nakalema who was accompanied by her husband, Lt. Col. Jimmy Asizua, and their two children said she and her family were grateful to God for their father’s long Church service and his elevation, which she termed as a profound responsibility. 

Col. Nakalema's father, Rev. Eriyasafu Sserwadda, his daughter Col. Nakalema and family collect offertory during the service.

“I am overjoyed to see my father in his retirement getting elevated to a full reverend and as Ugandans, we are proud to see the elderly being promoted to continue serving,” she said.   

In an interview, Rev Sserwadda, in the company of his wife Midrace told journalists that his elevation was a gift from God.

He said he officially started serving as a lay leader in 1969, but even before, he had served in his primary school after he got saved.

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Below is a highlight of pictures from the function, all by Vision Group's multimedia journalist Eddie Ssejjoba;

Col. Edith Nakalema, the head of the State House Investors' Protection Unit introduces her husband, Lt. Col. Jimmy Asizua.

Minister of state for Internal Affairs Gen. David Muhoozi remarks.

Nakalema and her siblings

The Central Buganda diocesan bishop, the Right Rev. Michael Lubowa presided over the ceremony.

Col. Nakalema singing with Justice Alice Khaukha

45 other reverend deacons were also ordained.

St. John’s Cathedral Kasaka, Central Buganda Diocese in Gomba district.

Several journalists were in attendence.