Iganga bishop to be elected this week

The long-awaited elections of a bishop for Central Busoga Diocese in Iganga are likely to take place later this week.

According to Can. Patrick Mutalwa, the Iganga archdeacon, if all goes according to plan, the diocese that has never had a bishop since creation in November 2014 would finally get a church leader.

"We are hopeful that with just about 75days to the proposed consecration day, the bishop would be elected during a house of bishops meet this week," Mutalwa assured the Sunday congregation at All Saints Cathedral in Iganga district. He observed that successful elections equally meant his exit from the archdeaconry as no archdeacon shares the diocesan seat with a bishop.

Last year, efforts to elect a bishop for the Iganga-based diocese hit a snag twice due to an alleged legal anomaly noticed by the provincial chancellor. Fred Kasiisa, the chairman of the bishop consecration committee disclosed that the official ceremony to install the elected churchman was to take place at All Saints CMS cathedral on November 11.

"A 30-member team is in place to handle the preparations. We have liaised with both friends and well-wishers to raise enough cash to make the day colourful," Kasiisa revealed. Busoga bishop Rev. Can. Paul Naimanhe, while bidding farewell to Iganga worshippers expressed optimism that he won't still be having jurisdiction over Central Busoga after November this year.

Central Busoga comprising Kiyunga, Iganga, Kaliro and Namutumba archdeaconries was carved out of the greater Busoga Diocese headquartered at Bugembe in Jinja. So far, two bishops Naimanhe and his predecessor Rt. Rev. Michael Kyomya, have bid farewell to Central Busoga.

What locals say

Esther Nandase, member of bishop consecration committee

We are working round the clock to ensure the consecration ceremony is a success. Come November, we are confident our bishop would be consecrated.

David Kyebana

I am happy central Busoga is now in existence but the delay in bringing our bishop is not good at all. I hope there would be no problem during this week's polls.

Peter Kanata

I have already ironed my clothes to be smart on that consecration day. My only worry is to be disappointed when the house of bishops fails again to elect the Iganga bishop