House of Bishops to convene at historic Busia shrine
According to Samuel Egesa, the Bishop of Bukedi Diocese, the visit will bring the bishops to a site that has since become an important religious tourism destination.
Bishop Samuel Egesa of Bukedi Diocese preaching at a function in Busia district. ( Photo by Egessa Hajusu)
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Preparations are underway in Bukedi Diocese to host the Church of Uganda's House of Bishops at the historic Bishop James Hannington Shrine in Busia in October this year.
The meeting will be held at the shrine in Budimo, Majanji subcounty, Busia district, where Bishop Hannington's body reportedly rested on top of a sausage tree, locally known as Omuberi, after he was killed in Busoga in 1885.
According to Samuel Egesa, the Bishop of Bukedi Diocese, the visit will bring the bishops to a site that has since become an important religious tourism destination.
The body was reportedly placed in the tree because of fears that wild animals would eat it as it was being transported from Busoga to Mumias Anglican Church of Kenya, where he was buried. His body was later exhumed and taken back to the United Kingdom.
Bishop James Hannington, a 37-year-old missionary with the Church Missionary Society (CMS), was killed in Busoga in 1885 on the orders of Kabaka Mwanga II.
Bishop Egesa said the delegation will comprise 165 people, including the bishops, their wives, a chaplain and drivers, who will visit the shrine as part of the pilgrimage.
"The House of Bishops will also be joined by two bishops from Nambale and Katakwa dioceses in Kenya and some retired Bishops," he said.
He also told New Vision in a telephone interview that the meeting of the House of Bishops, which will sit on October 30, will elect new bishops whose dioceses he did not disclose.
Bishop Egesa particularly appealed to the security agencies, headed by the office of the resident district commissioner, as well as the district chairperson and chief administrative officer, to ensure that no stone is left unturned.
He also encouraged locals in Busia to look at the business opportunities presented by the visit by organising to feed and accommodate many Christians from other districts who will attend the function.
Meanwhile, the laity in the Samia Bugwe South, Central, North and Syamalede archdeaconries are excited and cannot wait to host the House of Bishops.
David Wandera of Busumba Parish in Samia Bugwe North said he was delighted to be part of history, noting that all the bishops had never visited Bukedi at once.
He described the visit as a rare opportunity that he could not afford to miss.
Christine Auma from Samia Bugwe South Archdeaconry described the bishops' visit as the most important event she would attend in 2026.