Will Iganga get its own diocese?

Aug 19, 2014

The fate of the proposed Central Busoga Diocese (CBD) to be headquartered in Iganga district is set to be decided, Canon Patrick Mutalwa, the archdeacon, has said.

By George Bita                

IGANGA - The fate of the proposed Central Busoga Diocese (CBD) to be headquartered in Iganga district is set to be decided, Canon Patrick Mutalwa, the archdeacon, has said.

The provincial assembly of the Church of Uganda sitting on Tuesday would decide whether or not to grant CBD autonomy from Busoga Anglican Diocese.

“The time has come and as Christians your prayers are needed at such a crucial moment,” Mutalwa implored during a sermon at All Saints Church located near CMS trading centre in Iganga.

An earlier session of the provincial assembly on February 28 this year had resolved that the vetting committee headed by Bishop of Bunyoro diocese Rt. Rev. Nathan Kyamanywa revisit CBD to access progress.

“Photographic evidence of the diocesan assets may be availed to the assembly to prove readiness for secession,” said Mutalwa.

Meanwhile, Kyamanywa told Christians that the findings of the vetting team were to be presented on as-it-is basis to the assembly to guide in the final decision-making.

“As children of God we do not tell lies. I will not give understatements of exaggerations so expect a true report which your bishop [Rt. Rev. Michael Kyomya] will also be availed a copy.”

Kyomya gave the green-light for the split of Busoga mother diocese during a synod meeting at Iganga Secondary School in January 2010.

Andrew Mpaata, the head of laity at All Saints, identified the mandatory requirements for the new diocese as a bishop’s house, diocesan offices, cathedral, bank account with minimum balance of sh12m and a bishop’s car.

The lobbying for a diocesan status started way back in the mid-1990s but then-bishop Cyprian Bamwoze opposed it vehemently. The result was the pro-and anti-Bamwoze cliques that characterised the later part of his stay in office.

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