MUKONO, UGANDA: Mukono Diocese has embarked on the search for a new bishop ahead of the retirement of Right Reverend James William Ssebaggala after clocking 65 years of age.
The Province of Church of Uganda confirmed Ssebagala’s retirement in March this year prompting the Mukono diocesan synod to appoint a 15-member committee to identify two potential successors.
Bishop Ssebaggala was consecrated as the fourth Bishop of Mukono Diocese on September 19, 2010, replacing Bishop Emeritus Eria Paul Luzinda.
The cleric confirmed the ongoing process to find a new bishop, saying it commenced in early March. Once the new bishop is elected, he shall be consecrated in February 2023.
During his recent visit to the Mukono Diocese, the Church of Uganda Archbishop Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu appealed to Christians to intercede for the smooth transition of leadership. He explained that Mukono diocese does not need candidates who at the end of the process will run to court protesting the results.
He says Bishop Ssebaggala together with his wife, Tezira Ssebaggala have offered holistic leadership and ministry to the diocese. He noted that Mukono has a good record of sending out priests to lead other dioceses.
These include Emeritus Bishop Jackson Matovu to Central Buganda and Kaziimba to Mityana diocese. Mukono has also produced two archbishops of Uganda, Livingstone Nkoyoyo and Kaziimba himself.
Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, the LCV chairperson of Mukono district, says the diocese under the leadership of Bishop Ssebaggala has proved to be the government’s strongest partner in development. He explained that the church employs hundreds of people in its schools and other academic institutions but above all has ensured improving performance and discipline in church schools.
Bishop Ssebaggala feels that he has achieved almost his dream apart from the delayed expansion of the cathedral. He is also popular for preaching against human rights injustices and standing by his words after taking administrative decisions regardless of public criticism.
Some of the achievements made by Bishop Ssebaggala include the construction of new schools, diocesan administration and synod halls, the Bishop’s home, and the clergy pension house whose construction is still ongoing.
Besides, Bishop Ssebaggala ensured the transformation of the Namirembe health facility into a hospital, established purple pharmacies, diocesan Sacco, cottage industries, nursing school, reclaimed church land, revamped Lwanyonyi farm as well as increased the arch-deaconries from six to twelve. He also reclaimed Bishop East and West schools from government to private management.
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