Over Ugx 200 million was yesterday collected to support the ongoing construction of Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano in Rukungiri District during the Thanksgiving Service and 3rd Anniversary installation of Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe and his wife Maama Florence Asiimwe.
According to Bishop Asiimwe, the money will be utilised to continue the construction of Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano which is under construction.
The Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Jessica Alupo, who was represented by the Minister of Security, Hon Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, commended the Church for its contribution to the socio-economic transformation of the country.
She pledged continued government support through development initiatives such as Emyooga and Parish Development Model and encouraged Christians to embrace them for improved household incomes.
Earlier, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda The Most Rev Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu has hailed the Christians in North Kigezi Diocese for supporting him in his Episcopal Mission ever since he was consecrated and enthroned the Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda.
Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu made the remarks in a moving and charged farewell address to the Christians of North Kigezi Diocese in Rukungiri District at the function.
Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu singled out one mega achievement during his tenure, the repayment of the Church House loan of Ugx 50 billion which he said that was achieved with support of all Christians, not only in North Kigezi but across the country.
The Archbishop also thanked the Christians of North Kigezi Diocese for supporting their Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe especially on the Cathedral Church construction which was started by the late Bishop Magezi and is nearly getting roofed .
Bishop Asiimwe who was accompanied by his wife thanked the Christians of North Kigezi Diocese for wholeheartedly receiving and working with him which has enabled him to carry out his Episcopal Mission without any inconvenience.
He said that the Christians support has enabled him to preach the Gospel and also revive the education and community developments in the Diocese, giving the example of Makobore High school which he found with a total of 135 students but now has over 800 students.
Bishop Asiimwe also thanked the sister institutions like Immaculate Heart Girls Secondary school which have supported the Diocese in its revival of the Church of Uganda founded schools.
Speaking on behalf of the Christian community, the Diocesan Head of Laity, Turyabe Abel Matiita, commended Bishop Onesimus for visionary leadership that has strengthened evangelism, education, and community development in the Diocese and pledged continued cooperation from the laity to support the Diocese’s mission and ministry.
Among the dignitaries who attended the celebrations were the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Grace Lubaale, the Bishop of West Ankole Diocese, Yona Katoneene, the Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons Service, Canon Dr. Johnson Byabasheija, the Provincial Chancellor of the Church of Uganda, Canon Naboth Muhairwe and the Honorary Consul of Comoros to Uganda, Prof Alex Bashasha thousands of Christians from across the Diocese also attended the celebrations.
