By Ivan Naijuka
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala, The Most Rev. Dr. Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu and the Assistant Bishop of Diocese of Kampala, Rt. Rev. Dr. Hannington Mutebi, flagged off the Jubilee celebrations activities.
The event happened at St. Andrews COU Bukoto where the clergy of the diocese had gathered for a two-day retreat.
In his remarks, the archbishop said that the Golden Jubilee Celebrations will run under the theme: Ebenezer: His Mission, Our Priority from1Samuel 7:12; Matthew 6:33; Luke 4:14-19).
He added that Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us”.
“The stone was a remembrance of God’s intervention because the Philistines had won that battle twice but by God’s help, they had overcome them. Therefore, Ebenezer – the stone of help was to recognize the Lord’s help to them and to be thankful. Therefore, as we celebrate 50 years, we need to remember that it has been His help hence the word Ebenezer” he said.
In addition, he said that it is important to seek the same help in the coming years after all He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow plus we do not know what is ahead but He knows. Thus Ebenezer: His Mission – Our Priority
Archbishop highlighted some of the major milestones the diocese was able to register in the last 5o years of her existence. Among them:
More so, His Grace said that as we prepare to celebrate those and many other milestones, the diocese shall be having different activities to mark the golden Jubilee which include, MDD, tree planting, unveiling Jubilee projects, cleaning some of the slum areas, compassion visits to the orphanage, prisons, hospitals and other related unprivileged homes and, we will climax in August as we enter the new Cathedral at All Saints’ Cathedral Kampala-Nakasero.
He added that the diocese will continue to proclaim the gospel to transform
lives of the city dwellers, and also focus on attaining self-sustainability by establishing the following Jubilee Projects; Bukoto Apartment, Bugolobi Jubilee Plaza, set-up of a Diocesan Health Facility, to mention but a few.
Archbishop revealed that the Guest of honor will be The President of republic of Uganda; H.E.Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa and the Guest preacher will be The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi, the Archbishop of Jos Province in the Church of Nigeria and General Secretary of Gafcon.
The chairperson organizing committee Mr. Peter Kiiza commended the good work done by the great and women of God who started the Diocese. He added that it is our turn to add on what they did.
In attendance were the different heads of Laities from different parishes, clergy and diocesan secretariat team.
The Diocese of Kampala is one of the 37 constituent dioceses of the Church of Uganda inaugurated on 16 January 1972. This year 2022, the Diocese of Kampala made 50 years since her inception. In the last 50 years, we have had much that we need to thank God for as a diocese and the Church of Uganda as a whole.