The Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe, has called upon clergy and Christians to embrace what he described as the “true religion” by serving vulnerable people, caring for widows and orphans, and comforting those going through grief and hardship.
Bishop Asiimwe made the remarks during the installation service of Ven. Justus Otafiire as the Archdeacon of Nyakisoroza Archdeaconry at St. Paul’s Nyakisoroza Church of Uganda on Sunday.
Delivering his sermon, the bishop urged believers to practice a faith grounded in compassion, mercy, and service to humanity rather than focusing only on outward religious appearances.
“What you do when no one is seeing, God sees it all. You need to get rid of the bad things you do in secret because God sees everything,” Bishop Asiimwe said.
He emphasized that the Church must remain relevant within communities by returning to its original mission of serving those most in need.
“The true religion is helping vulnerable people. Ven. Justus Otafiire, this is the Gospel I call you to preach. Some clergy only want to visit people who prepare tea for them or give them envelopes, yet Christ calls us to look after the vulnerable just as He did during His earthly ministry,” he said.
Bishop Asiimwe further revealed that he personally makes efforts to comfort bereaved families regardless of their social or economic status and also regularly visits prisoners as part of his pastoral work.
“I recently visited Besigye in Luzira Maximum Prison,” he said, while calling on those handling Dr. Kizza Besigye’s case to ensure justice is delivered without unnecessary delays.
He described the prolonged legal process as unfair, noting that “justice delayed is tantamount to justice denied,” adding that the matter had taken almost 18 months without trial.
Quoting James 2:14–17, Bishop Asiimwe stressed the importance of balancing faith with practical action, reminding Christians that “faith without works is dead.”
“There is no other name under the sun that can save apart from the name of Jesus Christ,” he said, adding that other religious leaders such as Prophet Mohammed, Harry Krishna, Rev. Moon, Buddha, and Owobusobozi Bishaka died and did not resurrect like Jesus Christ.
Speaking during the same function, the Bishop’s wife, Ms Florence Asiimwe, encouraged Ven. Otafiire to fully utilise the gifts and abilities God has entrusted to him in ministry.
“Use the deposit God has placed in you and unpack it for the people God has entrusted to your care. Be confident because the Lord will be with you in the ministry He has called you into,” she said.
Ms Asiimwe also encouraged women to actively participate in the upcoming diocesan annual women’s conference.
The Head of Laity, Dr. William Mugisha Rwandembo, commended Bishop Asiimwe for appointing dedicated and hardworking clergy committed to serving Christ faithfully.
Rwandembo also praised the bishop’s efforts in reviving historic church-founded schools including Makobore High School and Kinyasano Girls High School.
In his remarks, Ven. Justus Otafire thanked Bishop Asiimwe for entrusting him with leadership of Nyakisoroza Archdeaconry and pledged to serve faithfully alongside Christians in advancing the Church’s ministry and mission.
During the same event, Moses Mutahemuka pledged to provide internal mahogany wooden doors, frames, and fittings for Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano and also committed to fully covering the installation costs.
