When the altar call was made, Tibeesigwa never looked back
Aug 22, 2007
ON Thursday June 21, 2007, the house of bishop elected Rev Can Dr. George Tibeesigwa as bishop for Ankole diocese, taking over from retired Bishop Elisha Kyamugambi.
By Raymond Baguma
ON Thursday June 21, 2007, the house of bishop elected Rev Can Dr. George Tibeesigwa as bishop for Ankole diocese, taking over from retired Bishop Elisha Kyamugambi.
Tibeesigwa is the fourth bishop of the diocese. his destiny is to pursue a priestly vocation.
Tibeesigwa’s evangelism began 50 years ago. In 1957 at the age of 12, he attended an evangelistic mission at Rwemiyenje Church School and devoted his life to God.
He says when the altar call was made, he denounced his childish evils of cheating, telling lies and being naughty. Since then, I have not regretted. I was nurtured through attending fellowship meetings and missions,†he says.
Tibeesigwa has written a testimony of his faith and ministry in the priestly calling. When he became born-again, Tibeesigwa pictured himself as a school teacher and priest. “These visions came to be fulfilled when I joined Bishop Stuart Teachers’ Training College (TTC) in Mbarara, qualifying as a teacher and later when I joined Bishop Tucker Theological College where I did the ordination course,†he said.
On August 24, 1961, while studying at Kinoni Primary school, he was confirmed in the Christian faith by the Rt. Rev. Kosiya Shalita who was the then Bishop of Ankole-Kigezi Diocese. His spiritual life was deepened when he joined the Boys Brigade Company and Scripture Union group.
Tibeesigwa was born on July 17, 1945 in Ngomba parish, Ntungamo district. His father William Kururagire was a parish chief and his mother, Edisa, a homemaker.
He attended Kinoni Junior Secondary School from 1962-1963 before joining Bishop Stuart TTC, Kakoba in 1964. During his school days, he was an ardent scout and held leadership responsibilities.
While at Bishop Stuart TTC between 1964 and 1967, he was a member of the voluntary club and scouting club. He sang in the college and chapel choirs and was the chairperson of Christian Union and the music society.
At the TTC, he was the best student, scoring a distinction in his teacher training course, which he completed in 1967. He then moved on to teach at college demonstration school for the five years, emphasising discipline and Christian virtues.
Tibeesigwa was also instrumental in the construction of the Good Shepherd Chapel at Bishop Stuart College.
In 1973, an opportunity arose for him to go for further studies in the UK to specialise in infant teaching methods. There was also an option to join Kyambogo Institute for Teacher Education and upgrade to a Grade Three course. However, he decided to join Bishop Tucker Theological College, Mukono.
On December 19, 1976, he was ordained deacon and posted as principal, to Kabwohe Divinity College, which trained lay leaders.
On December 18, 1977, the Rt. Rev Yoram Bamunoba ordained him priest at St. Peter’s Bweranyangi Cathedral. And later in the same month, he married Efrance Mirembe, a teacher, and born-again Christian. They have five children and a grandchild.
He has a Doctorate of Ministry from the Asian Centre for Theological Studies and Mission, South Korea. He also holds a Masters of Divinity from the University College of Emmanuel and St. Chad. He also has a degree in theology and in arts, both attained from Canada.
ON Thursday June 21, 2007, the house of bishop elected Rev Can Dr. George Tibeesigwa as bishop for Ankole diocese, taking over from retired Bishop Elisha Kyamugambi.
Tibeesigwa is the fourth bishop of the diocese. his destiny is to pursue a priestly vocation.
Tibeesigwa’s evangelism began 50 years ago. In 1957 at the age of 12, he attended an evangelistic mission at Rwemiyenje Church School and devoted his life to God.
He says when the altar call was made, he denounced his childish evils of cheating, telling lies and being naughty. Since then, I have not regretted. I was nurtured through attending fellowship meetings and missions,†he says.
Tibeesigwa has written a testimony of his faith and ministry in the priestly calling. When he became born-again, Tibeesigwa pictured himself as a school teacher and priest. “These visions came to be fulfilled when I joined Bishop Stuart Teachers’ Training College (TTC) in Mbarara, qualifying as a teacher and later when I joined Bishop Tucker Theological College where I did the ordination course,†he said.
On August 24, 1961, while studying at Kinoni Primary school, he was confirmed in the Christian faith by the Rt. Rev. Kosiya Shalita who was the then Bishop of Ankole-Kigezi Diocese. His spiritual life was deepened when he joined the Boys Brigade Company and Scripture Union group.
Tibeesigwa was born on July 17, 1945 in Ngomba parish, Ntungamo district. His father William Kururagire was a parish chief and his mother, Edisa, a homemaker.
He attended Kinoni Junior Secondary School from 1962-1963 before joining Bishop Stuart TTC, Kakoba in 1964. During his school days, he was an ardent scout and held leadership responsibilities.
While at Bishop Stuart TTC between 1964 and 1967, he was a member of the voluntary club and scouting club. He sang in the college and chapel choirs and was the chairperson of Christian Union and the music society.
At the TTC, he was the best student, scoring a distinction in his teacher training course, which he completed in 1967. He then moved on to teach at college demonstration school for the five years, emphasising discipline and Christian virtues.
Tibeesigwa was also instrumental in the construction of the Good Shepherd Chapel at Bishop Stuart College.
In 1973, an opportunity arose for him to go for further studies in the UK to specialise in infant teaching methods. There was also an option to join Kyambogo Institute for Teacher Education and upgrade to a Grade Three course. However, he decided to join Bishop Tucker Theological College, Mukono.
On December 19, 1976, he was ordained deacon and posted as principal, to Kabwohe Divinity College, which trained lay leaders.
On December 18, 1977, the Rt. Rev Yoram Bamunoba ordained him priest at St. Peter’s Bweranyangi Cathedral. And later in the same month, he married Efrance Mirembe, a teacher, and born-again Christian. They have five children and a grandchild.
He has a Doctorate of Ministry from the Asian Centre for Theological Studies and Mission, South Korea. He also holds a Masters of Divinity from the University College of Emmanuel and St. Chad. He also has a degree in theology and in arts, both attained from Canada.