The new diocese started with a major focus on promoting evangelism and discipleship, uplifting the education sector, promoting peace, unity and reconciliation in the Rwenzori.
West
Ruwenzori Diocese, in Bundibugyo District, is making significant strides in its
service, largely driven by the community. Created
on 28th August 2023, West Ruwenzori was curved out of Ruwenzori
diocese.
The
new diocese started with a major focus on promoting evangelism and discipleship,
uplifting the education sector, promoting peace, unity and
reconciliation in the Rwenzori.
After
1 year and eight months, the new diocese has established 81 new churches, 16
parishes and three archdeaconeries.
In the education sector the diocese has intensified
its support and supervision among church founded schools that has seen an improvement
in the student’s results and enrolment, supporting leaners from vulnerable households with
school fees at secondary school level, recommending vibrant youth for ministerial formation
with over 30 students currently undertaking their theologian courses in different
institutions across the country like Uganda Christian University-UCU.
The
diocese is also set to open a divinity college that will be training
lay readers, with 39 students admitted for the first cohort.
The diocese, working with the Ministry
of Lands, has surveyed 45 pieces of land and has yet
to get land titles.
Rt.
Rev. Bishop Barnabas Tibaijuka, the diocesan bishop, says they have been able to
mobilise Christians under the theme, “come, let reason together”, and this accounts
for the remarkable progress attained in less than two years.
The Bishop notes that with experience learnt elsewhere, they are working towards having
a self-sustaining diocese and in that line, they have acquired cocoa
plantations, prime plots and a tipper lorry for business purposes.
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The Bishop adds that the diocese leadership remains focused on many new projects, including constructing a special guest house at the bishop’s residence, a storied
building in Bundibugyo town and expanding the cathedral structure.
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Bishop
Tibaijuka anticipates that with the current pace and continued support of Christians, the diocese is poised to be a key contributor to the general development of Bundibugyo.
However, he notes that this success is not short of challenges, notably climate change, which
has affected the general incomes of the local population and subsequently
affected their level of support towards the diocese’s call.
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The
Bishop who addressed the media on the progress of the diocese at the diocese
headquarters in Bumadu, also asked President Museveni to set time for Bundibugyo
district so that key actors can share with him the local community
concerns.
He notes that the district has been neglected as far as participation in national matters is concerned.
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The
diocesan head of the laity, Jolly Tibemanya, hailed the bishop for his focused
leadership and pledged Christians’ commitment to supporting the diocesan work. He noted that believers sought an independent diocese, and they are fully aware that it's their role to nurture it.
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Venerable Rev. Tom Businge, serving at Bubukwanga Archdeaconry, says the success attained is a reflection of teamwork and dedication from the Christians.
Basaija is a graduate of Uganda Christian University (UCU-Mukono) holding a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communication.
He is a currently pursuing a fellowship in Gender Communications at Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications Nairobi, Kenya and expected to graduate in 2025.
He also boosts of numerous training's in the journalism arena.
Before joining URN, he had served as documentation support personnel, radio presenter and a news editor.
