Mengo Archdeaconry . Namirembe Diocese : Mengo Archdeaconry Celebrates 35 years

Today Friday April 1, 2016, Mengo Archdeaconry in Namirembe Diocese has started celebrations marking 35 years since it was curved out of Namirembe Archdeaconry.

Ven. John Gitta and Mr. Nalukoola addressing people that turned up for the gala

At the same time, Kibuye Parish is celebrating 100 years since it was curved out of Namirembe Cathedral in 1916 by the missionary Dr. Sir. Albert Cook, the father of modern medicine in Uganda.

Work going on at Kibuye

The celebrations held at the Archdeaconry Gardens kicked off at around 11;00am amidst heavy showers and thunderstorms. This seemed to be a sign of good luck since the past few weeks have been extremely hot and dry.

Penalty shoot out in Netball

Trying to shoot in the goal

The Archdeacon of Mengo, Ven John Gitta Kavuma flanked by his wife Margaret Gitta, said that the day was going to kick off with the eight parishes that make up the Archdeaconry to present various items in a competitive way. He told the congregation that they had decided to have a dressing code of a centenary apparel in all the centenary celebrations of the Parish and Archdeaconry Jubilee Celebrations.

In centenary apparel

He said that all the functions to be held during this period would be captured both audio, video, and still photographs and be placed in the Museum that will be housed in the new Church under construction.

He said that the Katikkiro of Buganda had accepted to officiate at one of the functions when the Buganda Government will be giving thanks to the Lord for preserving the name Mengo after the Kabaka of Buganda Maj. Gen. Sir Edward Walugembe Muteesa II had been exiled by the Milton Obote government in 1966.

The adjudicators/judges headed by Dr. Kayanja

He said that after the Kingdoms were abolished, the name Mengo seemed to be fading away, but in the wisdom of the then Namirembe Diocesan Bishop Dr. Dunstan Kasi Nsubuga, he proposed that Namirembe Archdeaconry be named Mengo Archdeaconry in order to preserve the rich heritage of Mengo and Buganda Kingdom. He went on to say that the proposal was unanimously welcomed by the Diocesan Synod and adopted and in 1981, Kibuye Parish, was chosen to host and be the seat of Mengo Archdeaconry with Dr. Kityo as the first Archdeacon. More to how this came be adopted will be expounded by the Retired Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda the Most Rev. Dr. Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyooyo on 3rd July 2016. (This will be published on this blog on that day. please wait for the news then).

Part of the team that attended

The function was attended by the Vice Head of Laity and Chairman of the Construction Comittee of the Centenary Church Mr. Nalukoola. He was also the guest of honour of the day's function. Other diginitaries that attended included the following clergy, Rev. James Lubega (asst. Vicar Kibuye), Rev. Godfrey Kyanda (Masajja Parish), Rev. Moses Kayimba (Namasuba Parish), Rev. D.W. Bwete (Kibiri) and Rev. Jackson Mukuye (Ndejje Parish). It was also attended by the President of CWF in Namirembe Diocese, Mrs. Male, Lay Readers, members of the Archdeaconry Executive and Christians from all the 10 Parishes.

The Churches and Parishes through their various departments participated in the following items.

CMF members played the drums that call worshipers to Church (Damali akusigudde, togoba lukadde lwo, Musomesa ampita and Kabbo kajjudde)

Fathers Union: These played penalty shoot outs in soccer