Lumumba offers to renovate Soroti bishop's residence

May 23, 2019

The function was graced by prominent personalities like the Secretary General of NRM, Rt Hon Justine Kasule Lumumba, the President of FDC Patrick Oboi Amuriat and the Hon Proscovia Salaam Musumba.

Christians of Soroti Catholic diocese are in a cheerful mood as they await the consecration of their new bishop, the Rev Msgr Joseph Eciru.

The function will take place at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Soroti, on Saturday (May 25), starting at 10:00am. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be the chief guest. Prior to his episcopal appointment, Msgr Eciru, a Biblicist, was a teacher at St Mary's National Major Seminary, Ggaba.

As one of the activities to raise money for his consecration, Catholics affiliated to Soroti diocese, organised a thanksgiving and send-off function for Eciru at St Gonzaga Gonza Catholic Sub-parish church, Kireka on Sunday. Operating under their umbrella organisation, Soroti Catholic Diocese Laity Association (SCALA), they managed to raise sh38m, in cash and pledges.

The function was graced by prominent personalities like the Secretary-General of NRM, Rt Hon Justine Kasule Lumumba, the President of FDC Patrick Oboi Amuriat and the Hon Proscovia Salaam Musumba.

eft to right on roscovia usumba resident atrick muriat ision roup ompany ecretary ervase dyanabo and on asule umumba during the function

Left to right: Hon Proscovia Musumba, FDC President Patrick Amuriat, Vision Group Company Secretary Gervase Ndyanabo and Hon Kasule Lumumba during the function

The Chairman of Tororo Ecclesiastical Province Association of the Laity, Ssalongo Robert Kamiza said the entire ecclesiastical province of Tororo was in a joyful and expectant mood for Msgr Eciru. He asked the Christians to warmly welcome and work in solidarity with Eciru.

"We were all excited when we heard the appointment of our own. He is young, dynamic and development-oriented. He is a humble and practical prelate. Let us support him in his ministry for the good of the diocese, the province, and the country," Kamiza said.

During the function, a total of sh38m was realised in cash and pledges. Among the donors was the head of the Catholic Laity of Uganda and Company Secretary of Vision Group, Gervase Ndyanabo, who donated sh300,000. Hon Kasule Lumumba offered to renovate, refurbish and equip the Bishop's official residence, which Msgr Eciru is going to occupy.

hristians from oroti atholic diocese carrying two boys who presented the oly ook in an improvisedsymbolic boat during the sendoff function for the ishopelect of oroti sgr oseph ciru at t onzaga onza atholic hurch ireka on unday ay 19

Christians from Soroti Catholic diocese carrying two boys who presented the Holy Book, in an improvised/symbolic boat during the send-off function for the Bishop-elect of Soroti, Msgr Joseph Eciru at St Gonzaga Gonza Catholic Church, Kireka on Sunday, May 19

Soroti Christians to accord Eciru grand-reception

Prior to his consecration on Saturday, Msgr Eciru will be received by the Christians in Soroti on Thursday, May 23.

Kamiza again explained: "As of now, Msgr Eciru is still at Ggaba where he has been teaching. We shall take him, in procession, to Soroti on Thursday. We have called this function, the Grand Entry in Soroti.

Subsequent to his consecration on Saturday, Msgr Eciru (49) will become the third Bishop of Soroti after Bishop Emeritus Erasmus Wandera and Archbishop Emmanuel Obbo, who is currently the Prelate of Tororo Archdiocese.

he ishopelect of oroti atholic diocese sgr oseph ciru liach second left receiving offertory during his sendoff function

The Bishop-elect of Soroti Catholic diocese, Msgr Joseph Eciru Oliach (second left) receiving offertory during his send-off function

he affiliate choir of oroti atholic iocese ssociation of the aity animating mass during the sendoff function

The affiliate choir of Soroti Catholic Diocese Association of the Laity animating mass during the send-off function