Nkoyooyo Urges Leaders On Timely Retirement

By James Oloch
THE out-going Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyooyo, has advised leaders to retire early when the gate is still wide open.
“When you first entered into the office the gate was wide open but when you are leaving the gate gets narrow and some people even want to push you out.
“Let us come out when the gate is still open, but not be pushed or forced over the fence when the gate is blocked,” he said.
Nkoyooyo said this at St. Augustine Gardens in Lira in his farewell sermon to Christians recently.
He was reacting to remarks by the MP of Kyoga County, who is also chairperson of Lango Laity, Ojok Be’Leo.
Be’Leo had applauded him for his decision to step down.
“If you were a politician, you would seek a third term and use your officer to amend the Church of Uganda constitution to allow you stand again.”
“You have achieved a lot during your tenure archbishop, but you have never said nobody has the vision to take over from you,” Be’Leo said.
Nkoyooyo said however good one is, a leader should retire to give room to others.
“My predecessor would take over from where I left. They are God-chosen people. Who say only one person has vision of leadership?”
“You should retire when the people still love you and the gate is still wide open, or else the people will force you out through the narrow gate,” he said.
Nkoyooyo steps down on Sunday and will be succeeded by Bishop Orombi of Nebbi.
Lango Diocese Bishop John Charles Odurkami commended Nkoyooyo for his anti-homosexual stance in the Church.
“Money cannot buy our faith. We thank you for severing ties with the American churches for their tacit support of the first gay bishop, Gene Robinson.”
Lira deputy RDC Sylvesto Opira pledged Government support to the church in developing Uganda.
Ends