Bunyoro Diocese gets new bishop today

PIC: Canon Kahuma with his wife Sarah

The Christians in Bunyoro Kitara Diocese are gearing up for the ordination and installation of the fifth bishop today after months of preparations.

The Rev. Canon Sam Kahuma was elected new bishop for the diocese on June 1 by the House of Bishops after the sitting (bishop), Nathan Kyamanywa, who turned 6o years of age on October 14 this year, chose to retire five years before clocking the mandatory retirement age of 65 years for Anglican bishops

Kyamanywa, who was ordained and installed bishop of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese in 2002, replacing Wilson Turumanya, said his decision to take an early retirement from active pastoral duties was informed by his conviction that he had achieved the targets for which he became bishop.

"I have done what I could in the last 14 years as your bishop and I feel my time is up for someone else to takeover. He will pick up from where I have left off. Handover of leadership should be peaceful," Kyamanywa said earlier.

Kuhuma, who has served as a diocesan secretary for seven years, will be ordained and installed as new bishop for the diocese at St. Peter's Cathedral in Hoima town.Born on August 24, 1959, Kahuma previously served as vicar and dean at St. Peter's cathedral. The two other bishops who helmed the diocese previously include Yustus Ruhindi and Yonasani Rwakaikara. The Christians in the diocese have since June been engaged in efforts to raise funds for the consecration and installation function.

Kyamanywa has on many occasions said he is optimistic that Kahuma, the man he has closely worked with to steer the diocese for the last 14 years, will take the (diocese) to another level.

He asked the Christians to give Kahuma the support he (Kyamanywa) has enjoyed from them.

The chairperson of the national organizing committee for the consecration and installation ceremony, Ernest Kiiza, who is also the Bunyoro affairs minister and Masindi Municipality MP, said with a few days to the event, preparations have gone into high gear to ensure the ceremony is a success.

Kiiza thanked the President Yoweri Museveni, the Anglican archbishop, Stanley Ntagali and the Christians for their support towards the consecration preparations. Museveni is expected to be the chief guest.

"I want to thank the people of Bunyoro and friends who have given us money and attended our meetings since June when we started preparing for this event. We are very grateful and may God bless them," he added.