KISORO, UGANDA: The Church of Uganda House of Bishops has elected Rev. Barnabas Tibaijuka as the first Bishop of the new West Ruwenzori Diocese in Bundibugyo, Western Uganda.
The newly created diocese will be officially launched later this year where Rev Tibaijuka will be consecrated and enthroned as its first Bishop on 27th August 2023.
According to to Rev. Can. Capt William Ongeng the C.O.U Provincial Secretary, Rev Tibaijuka was elected by the House of Bishops sitting in Kisoro today (Monday, April 3, 2023).
Tibaijuka’s election comes days after growing tension between Bamba and Bakonzo tribes got defused on Thursday after the sides said they had buried the hatchet and agreed to work together for the development of the diocese.
At the time of his election, Tibaijuka was serving at Buganikere Parish Church as parish priest, a place he has served since in 2017.
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Born on May 8, 1975, in Butungama, Bundibugyo district, Barnabas Tibaijuka became born again on April 5, 1994, during an open-air crusade led by the Bwamba Great Missioners.
Being the son of an Anglican priest, he had been leading a double life – a humble, obedient, and God-fearing son at home, and a rebellious, night-club-loving youth while at school.
“The preacher shared from Revelation 3:15, ‘I know your deeds…’ and I felt guilty because of my wrong deeds,” he said. “So, I made a personal decision to denounce evil and accepted Christ in my life. I asked God to forgive me and make me his child again.”
Rev. Tibaijuka earned a master’s degree from Mountains of the Moon University, Fort Portal, in 2016, and a Bachelor of Divinity from Uganda Christian University, Mukono, in 2011.
He was ordained as a deacon in 2010 and a priest in 2011. Tibaijuka has served both as a classroom teacher and head teacher in several primary schools.
He started church ministry as a Catechist. After his ordination, he served in the Diocese of Rwenzori Diocesan office as the Diocesan Youth Worker, and as the Vicar of several parishes.
Rev Tibaijuka He has also worked on translating the Bible into Lubwisi and taught at Bishop Balya College.
He took early retirement from civil service and is currently a member of the Diocesan Synod and vice chairperson for the Diocese of Rwenzori House of Clergy.
He has also served at Bukuuku Parish, Bumadu Parish, Bishops’ office Diocese of Ruwenzori, Bubandi I COU Bundingoma Parish, Bubandi Archdeaconry, St. James COU Bubandi Parish, Bubandi Archdeaconry.
Rev. Tibaijuka is married to Alice Mbambu Tibaijuka. Together they have raised two girls who are both born again and are currently university students.
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