Mityana gets new Bishop

By Edith KimuliREV. CANON Dustan Kopoliano Bukenya was on Sunday consecrated as the 3rd bishop of Mityana Diocese at a colourful ceremony held at Mityana Cathedral in Namukozi.Bukenya, formerly Secretary Bishop Tucker University in Mukono succeeds Bishop Wilson Mutebi who held this post since January 22, 1989.Bukenya was enthroned by Church of Uganda Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyooyo at a ceremony attended by Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.The Government was represented by the Minister for Tourism Trade and Industry, Prof. Edward Rugumayo. Bukenya was presented to the Archbishop by bishops, Jackson Matovu and Thomas Elige of Central and Kumi dioceses respectively. Songs in Luganda, English and Luo were sang.Bishops from the Church of Uganda, clergy from the Catholic Church and Imams from the Muslim faith were represented at the function that was held outside the cathedral due to the big number of worshippers.In his sermon, Bishop Keith Sutton from Linchfield told Bishop Bukenya to apply what he preaches in his works. “You should cross borders for Christ and show love and kindness in action,” Sutton said.However, his sermon was interrupted by the arrival of Kabaka Ronald Mutebi.The congregation stopped paying attention to what he was saying and looked in the opposite direction to see the Kabaka arrive. Sutton welcomed the Kabaka in Luganda, causing laughter.In a speech delivered by Rugumayo, President Yoweri Museveni urged the Church to be more self-reliant. He promised to help Mityana diocese develop their 500 acres of land.He also proposed that the clergy be trained in agriculture so that they do extension work.“Priests and other church workers can wield the Bible in one hand and a hoe in the other to improve the communities they serve,” Museveni said.He warned that mushrooming cults would not be tolerated. Museveni gave sh1m to the new Bishop.The congregation braved the rain in a poorly covered shelter to listen to Kabaka Mutebi’s speech. The Kabaka commended Bukenya. He said Bukenya had done a great job of helping people improve on their incomes and living standards. He said education was the clear way.