Baluku elected bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese

The Rev. Canon Nason Baluku has been elected the third bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese.

He will be consecrated on December 13 this year at St Paul's Cathedral, Kasese.

Baluku succeeds the Rt Rev. Jackson Nzerebende, who has served the diocese since 2003.

The election was made by the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda sitting at the Namirembe Guest House, Kampala on Tuesday.

Who is BaluKu? The Rev. Canon Baluku was born on March 15, 1967, in Mahango sub-county on the slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains in Kasese district.

He holds a masters of arts in organisational leadership and management, as well as a bachelor of community leadership and development, from the Uganda Christian University (UCU).

He also holds a diploma in theology from UCU and a provincial certificate in theological studies from Bishop Balya Theological College.

Baluku became born-again at the age of 12 on October 13, 1979 and was confirmed three years later in 1982 by Bishop Yostus Kamanyire. By the time he was 17 years, he was commissioned as a catechist and later a lay reader.

On August 6, 1995, he was ordained a deacon and was made priest on July 28, 1996.

He was appointed canon of St. Paul's Cathedral, Kasese on December 4, 2005.

Baluku has served in various ministry positions, including as vicar of several parishes, an archdeacon, and diocesan secretary, programme director for the Bishop Masereka Christian Foundation and PDR coordinator in the provincial secretariat.

Until his election, he has been serving as project manager for the international organisation, Barnabas Fund.

He is married to Jane Biira Baluku, with whom they have seven children.

Baluku will succeed the Rt. Rev. Jackson Nzerebende.