We mourn the death of Retired Luweero Bishop Misusera Bugimbi

Rt. Rev. Misusera Bugimbi

The pioneer Bishop of Luweero Diocese, Rt. Rev. Misusera Bugimbi, died on Wednesday. The  news of his sudden death has sent shock waves among Christians.
Bishop Bugimbi was consecrated as Bishop of Luweero Diocese in 1991 and served up to 1996 when he retired. He first served as a Dean at Namirembe Diocese before his consecration. 

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

St. Thomas Church Of Uganda, Kibutika (Anglican)

Sunday 3rd August 2014 will always remain an historical day for the people of Kibutika Church of Uganda in Kabowa Parish. It is the day, the Archdeacon of Mengo Ven. John Gitta Kavuma officially opened this Church as the newest in the Archdeaconry.


Brief Report 

1. HISTORICAL BACK GROUND OF THE CHURCH

An evangelistic team from St. John’s Church, Ndejje (South of Kampala, Uganda, East Africa) organized an evangelistic outreach in this area and discovered that the area was remote and far away from the existing church. One Christian couple Mr. and Mrs. Kityo offered their compound temporarily to begin a church. On Sunday 8^th September 2013, the first service was conducted under a tree shade and was attended by 9 people. The following Sunday a small tent was hired together with chairs. Later as more people joined, funds were raised to buy a 100 seater tent.

2. ACHIEVEMENTS

a. Evangelism
More people have received Christ and more have joined the church. We now have about eighty
(80) Christians on the church list with about sixty (60) in children’s church.
b. Giving
The few available Christians have worked had, bought a tent, church chairs and are now raising money to buy land for construction of a church.
c. A vibrant church choir has been formed.
3. APPRECIATION
We thank all Christians who have given sacrificially towards this church ministry. We also thank Rev. Hebert Zziwa, the parish priest, Mr. Mayombwe, the lay leader and the Christians of St. John Church. We thank Mr. and Mrs. Kityo for offering their home where Christians fellowship. we also thank the management and staff of Abesther primary school for offering a class which is used as children church every Sunday.

Dancing to the Lord

Sunday School children

Maama Margaret Gitta with Sunday School children

Cross section of the congregation

The Choir

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the congregation

Ven. John Gitta Talks to those who had accepted Christ as their personal Lord and savior

Ven. John Gitta prays for the Christians of Kibutika

Holy Communion

Ven. John Gitta blesses the Children flanked by Rev. James Kaana

Holy Communion

4. FUTURE PLANS
a. Continuing preaching the gospel to Christians.
b. Looking for funds to raise at least 40,000,000 to buy land for the church.
c. A need to mobilize More Christian to join the church choir.

St. Stephen's Church Kabowa's re-union and thanksgiving day 2014

Every second Sunday in August, family members of Christians from St. Stephen's Church Kabowa, in Mengo Archdeaconry return to their old church to remember and give thanks for the good works their departed relatives did for the Church of God.

Last Sunday, 10th August, 2014, the Church service started at 11:00 O'clock led by the Parish Priest Rev. Herbert Zziwa Ssalongo. The Guest preacher of the day was Rev. Balamaze, the Parish Priest of St. Dunstan Church of Uganda Mukono Diocese. 

In his sermon, Rev. Balamaze condemned the issue of child abuse and neglect which are very rampant these days. He called upon parents to show responsibility as they nurture their children.

He called upon Christians to always remember the good deeds their parents did for  uplifting the Kingdom of God. He categorically made it clear to Christians that in the Anglican Church "we do not pray for the dead, but just give thanks for the good work they have done because that's what the scriptures say"

Rev. Balamaze preaching at Kabowa during the Annual Thanksgiving

His sermon was based on 2Samuel 9:1 David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Now there was a servant of Saul’s household named Ziba.They  summoned him to appear before David, and the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” “At your service,” he replied.

3 The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”

Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan;he is lame in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.” 5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

He said that because of Jonathan's good heart towards David, Mephibosis was shown kindness. He appealed to christians to see that whatever they do now benefits their offsprings.

He said that it is worth to remember the good work our forefathers did especially serving the Lord under difficult circumstances.  He said those people worked whole heartedly but these days people say "how do I benefit" a cancer that is killing the society.

Mr. Sebunnya Bugembe (Kasiwuukira) pledging
as Mr. Kasenye Head of Laity looks on

On his part the parish priest, Rev. Herbert Zziwa Ssalongo said that the annual thanksgiving and remembrance of the departed relatives in Kabowa St. Stephen's Church has helped very much in beautifying the Church. He said that this year they had a target of putting pavers in the Church yard. He also revealed plans of constructing a healthy centre in the future to serve the growing population in Kabowa and the surrounding areas.

The Head of Laity, Mr. Samuel Kasenye thanked the families for honouring the Church's invitation and for always coming to their rescue whenever they are called upon. He told the congregation that this year, 14th December 2014, Kabowa will be celebrating 110 years and urged them to be present on that day. He said that they have plans of having mass weddings for the couples that have stayed longer without getting married in Church.

At the end of the service they managed to collect approximately 3.9m/- to for the Church pavers.

Archdeacon John Gitta Kavuma commissions Kibuye Parish leaders

Archdeacon John Gitta Kavuma commissions Kibuye Parish leaders

On Sunday, 3rd August, 2014 the Archdeacon of Mengo Ven. John Gitta Kavuma commissioned leaders of Kibuye Parish during the 11 O’clock service at the Archdeaconry headquarters.

Mrs. Christine Bwogi was sworn in as the Chairperson Head of Laity for the next four years. She is the first lady Head of Laity for Kibuye Parish since its inception in 1911.

In his sermon based on Luke 5:5 “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” he said that because of Jesus’ word, the desciples were able to catch a lot of fish. He called on the elected leaders to listen to the voice of Jesus as they serve the Lord.

Members of the Parish Council after they were sworn in

He said that these days there are many words and people decide to listen those words instead of listening to God’s word. He told leaders that in their leadership journey they should expect the led to stress them but they (the leaders) should always be humble and listen to God’s word if they are to succeed in their leadership.

The Archdeacon informed the congregation that the they had decided to close down Sir Albert Cook Clinic for three months as they carry out renovations. “We shall open it under new management with better services” Ven. Gitta said.

He also said that the Assistant Vicar’s house is also getting a facelift for the next three moths.

The  Choir of St. Luke Kibuye will be launching its music Album on 24th August, 2014 in all the three services. 

The choir singing a vesper Beera Mukama Munda yange

Mengo Archdeaconry the Grand old Archdeaconry in Namirembe Diocese

Mengo Archdeaconry the Grand old Archdeaconry in Namirembe Diocese

It goes back to the times of Sir Daudi Chwa II King of Buganda who loved Christianity so much that he had a Church in his Mengo Palace and another one at his Munyonyo Palace. Whenever he went to pay a visit to his mother at Lusaka, he would attend prayers at Kibuye.

St. Luke Kibuye, the seat of the Archdeaconry

Ven. John Gitta Kavuma. The Archdeacon of Mengo

The Bishop of Namirembe Rt. Rev. Dr. Dunstan Nsubuga, based on that historical fact to preserve the name Mengo after the 1966 crisis when kingdoms were abolished in Uganda. At first, it was commonly known as the Archdeaconry of Namirembe. It should be recalled that during that time, Mengo was no more and the Mengo Palace had been turned into a military barracks. All that was done by the government of the day to ensure that Mengo is erased from the Baganda’s memories.

In 1982, Bishop Nsubuga decided to relocate the Archdeaconry headquarters to Kibuye under the name Mengo Archdeaconry. It was not all that easy since the Christians of Kibuye thought that  since the Archdeaconry headquarters had been transferred to Kibuye, the name should be Kibuye Archdeaconry. There was consensus that since it was Mengo that spearheaded the building of Namirembe Cathedral, it was important to have the name Mengo preserved.

The Archdeacon's residence

By July 28, 1985, the Archdeaconry of Mengo was composed of 12 parishes namely;  Kibuye, Masajja, Kibiri, Kabowa, Katwe, Luzira, Mbuya, Kasubi, Kawuku, Munyonyo, Kamuli and Kazo. These comprised of 52 daughter churches.

Later on, the Bishop decided have the following Parishes; Namirembe, Mbuya, Kamuli, Kazo, Kasubi, Katwe Marytrs, Luzira, Kawuku, Kabowa, Kibiri, Munyonyo, Kamuli, Kazo and Masajja. Mengo later on gave birth to the following Archdeaconries: Kazo and Luzira. Currently Mengo has the following parishes: Kibuye, Katuuso, Munyonyo, Kabowa, Kibiri, Katwe Martyrs', Katwe II, Masajja ne Namasuba.

The Archdeaconry of Mengo is a very important archdeaconry not only in Namirembe Diocese but also in the entire Province of the Church of Uganda.

The Special Importance of Mengo Archdeaconry
By the time the Diocese realised the need to relocate the seat of the Archdeaconry from Namirembe to Kibuye, the hearts of Baganda Christians were still filled with sorrow since the Kabaka had been exiled and kingdoms abolished.

The heart of Buganda is at Mengo. When the Archdeaconry was relocated to Kibuye, it was prudent enough to call it Mengo instead of Namirembe. The name Mengo is broad in nature. Mengo Archdeacony reminds us the honour of Buganda and Uganda. It reminds us the culture and traditions plus the development of releigion in Buganda and Uganda as a whole. Religion in Uganda and Buganda started at Mengo with the CMS Missionaries landing at Munyonyo landing site. For quiet a long time, leadership in Buganda and in religion rotates around Mengo.

Some of the historical sites Mengo Archdeaconry
1. Mengo Palace
2. Kabaka's Martkets at Katwe and Kibuye
3. Kabaka's Lake. Ssekabaka Mwanga ordered his subjects to dig this lake to connect it to Munyonyo landing sit. Kabaka Mwanga wanted to always leave Mengo in a boat to Munyonyo where he had built a palace and named it Salaama. Due to political turmoil and the coming in of the missionaries, this project was never finished.
4.  Musa Mukasa Martyrdom site at Munyonyo and Munyonyo Landing site which was used by the missionaries to come to Uganda.
5. Namasole's Palace at Lukuli; this is where St. Luke Church started from
6. The second home of the Governor of Uganda (Makindye State Lodge)
7. Sir. Albert Cook's home was in Makindye. He is the father of modern medicine in Uganda.

The Archdeaconry Lay Readers pose for a photo with Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, Bishop Luwalira and Ven John Gitta

ARCHDEACONS OF MENGO THROUGH THE TIMES

Ven. Dr. George W.M. Kityo the pioneer Archdeacon. He served from 1980 and in 1983 the parish became an Archdeaconry. He served for 8 years.

Ven. Dr. Kityo with his wife Vivien Kityo

Can. Baddokwaya: This was the second Archdeacon after the death of Dr. Kityo.

the late Can. Baddokwaya and Maama Ruth Baddokwaya

Can. G.W. Ssekitooleko was the third Archdeacon of Mengo

Late Can. G.W. Ssekitooleko and his wife Anne Ssekitooleko

Can. G.W.  Mugula was the fourth Archdeacon of Mengo

Can. G.W.  Mugula and his wife at one of the functions

Can. Samuel Kasujja was the fifth Archdeacon

Can. Samuel Kasujja

Can. Nelson Kaweesa was the 6th Archdeacon of Mengo

Can. Nelson Kaweesa

Can. Daudi Sserubidde was the 7th Archdeacon of Mengo

Ven. John Gitta Kavuma is the 8th Archdeacon of Mengo. He has done a lot for this  Archdeaconry including building a new house for the Archdeacon and started on the work of enlarging the Archdeaconry Church building.

Ven. John Gitta and Maama Margaret Gitta 

The work of enlarging the Church at Kibuye has started  the the offices

The Head of Laity is Mrs Margaret Magumba. She has led this Archdeaconry now for a second time after finishing her first four year term. She heads a vibrant and hard working team.

Mrs. Magumba addresses the Archdeaconry executive