NEW DIOCESE EXCITEMENT: IBANDA HUNDREDS OF CHRISTIANS  WITNESS GROUND BREAKING OF A 16 OFFICE BLOCK

BY ELLY  KARENZI

IN IBANDA—- 

In a bid for preparation for the birth of a new diocese called North East Ankole diocese are in high gear. Hundreds of Christians yesterday turned up at St. Paul Church of Uganda in Ibanda archdeaconry to witness the ground breaking ceremony for a 16 block office project which will house all offices for the new diocese.

The launching ceremony was presided over by the retired Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Rwobusiisi who represented the Bishop of Ankole Rt. Rev. Fred Mwesigwa.

The North West Ankole diocese has been curved from its mother  Ankole diocese after the Provincial Assembly of Church of Uganda last year approved the Christians’ requests from Ibanda district that they need their own diocese for taking services nearer to them  to boost sustainable livelihood to the Christians.

Rt. Rev. Rwobusiisi encouraged Christians in Ibanda to take on the challenges of working together as a team, so that they can become a model to the young generation who in turn will become church pillars of their own diocese in future.

He construction work is estimated to be ready by September this year and it will cost over

shs.250 million which has been raised by the Christians  and well wishers in Ibanda district and

Other areas.

The consecration of the new Bishop is expected to take place in October this year and the

function will take place at St. Paul cathedral  the proposed headquarters of the new diocese.

The treasurer for construction project, Mr. Charles Tweheyo said most of necessary church

Projects including the Bishop’s residential house and his staff are already in the place. He said

the new diocese will have 120,000 Christian population  from the  archdeaconries of

Ibanda, Kakinga, Bigyera and Nyabuhikye, together  with 25 church parishes.