The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, has officially bid farewell to the North Kigezi Diocese during a thanksgiving service marking the third anniversary of the episcopal ministry of Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe.
The celebration was held at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano on Kinyasano Hill in the Southern Division of Rukungiri Municipality, where Christians from across the diocese and other well-wishers gathered to commemorate the occasion.
In his sermon, Archbishop Kaziimba urged church leaders to continue and complete development projects initiated by their predecessors instead of abandoning them to start new ones for personal recognition.
He stressed that church projects are meant to advance God’s work rather than individual leadership ambitions.
“I want to commend Bishop Asiimwe for continuing the construction of the cathedral that had been initiated by the late Bishop Benon Magezi, who passed away from COVID-19 in 2021,” Kaziimba said.
He also cautioned Christians against rejecting church leaders assigned to serve them because of their place of origin, emphasizing that ministry in the Church has no boundaries and leaders are called to serve wherever God sends them.
“I urge believers to strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ and remember that God never abandons His people even in difficult situations such as illness, financial challenges, lack of school fees, or business failure,” he said.
“Remain faithful in prayer because God can answer prayers even at the last moment.”
Speaking during the event, Bishop Asiimwe expressed gratitude to the retiring Archbishop for his leadership and contributions to the growth of the Church of Uganda.
He particularly appreciated the Archbishop’s role in strengthening unity within the church and helping address financial challenges, including clearing a major debt on Uganda House.
“I also commend Archbishop Kaziimba for firmly maintaining the church’s position against homosexuality,” Bishop Asiimwe said.
The Minister for Security, Jim Muhwezi Katugugu, who represented Vice President Jessica Alupo as chief guest, praised both church leaders for promoting hope and contributing to community development through church-founded schools and health facilities.
Bishop Asiimwe became the sixth Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese on March 12, 2023, after being elected by the House of Bishops on January 18, 2023 following the death of Bishop Benon Magezi.
The event concluded with a tree-planting activity, during which more than Shs200 million and 300 bags of cement were raised to support ongoing church development projects.
