THE LOST SHEEP AND THE LOST COINS

Rev. Canon Ayela Okot Introducing Rev. Olara James, Rev Olweny Kevin, Rev. Otto Zachariah, Rev. Kibwota Samuel and Rev. Eunice Opok.

Rev. Captain Titus Baraka and Mary trying the new skills of praising the Lord -see the techniques of holding hands while jumping.

Bishop Johnson handing over bicycles to the Newly ordained clergy.

Visiting the home of Alex Okello who was a prominent witch doctor the children also accepted Jesus Christ; here the bishop is leading them in a prayer of confession. Rev. Canon Titus is taking pictures

Five people were ordained in a colourful ceremony held at Keyo Church of Uganda by the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda Johnson Gakumba on Friday 26 November 2010. The Rev. Canon Captain Titus Baraka who led the retreat as well as preached during the occasion called upon the newly ordained to look for the lost sheep then they would find the lost coins. Rev. Canon Titus said “The lost sheep has also gone with the lost coins” Once you get the lost sheep you will also get the lost coins the Rev. Canon said. Preaching from the Gospel of Mathew 9:37ff Titus said the field is ready but the labourers are very few. Rev. Piloya Eunice was ordained priest while Rev. Kibwota Samuel, Rev. Olweny Kevin, Rev. Olara James and Rev. Otto Zachariah were orained Deacons. This is the first lot of clergy to be ordained by Bishop Johnson during the first year of his ministry in the Diocese of Northern Uganda.
The Diocese gave each one of them a bicycle to facilitate their transport as they begin the ordained ministry in the various places. Rev. Eunice Opok was posted to Lukodi Child Voice International as a Chaplain, Rev. Kibwota Samuel posted to Gulu Core Primary teachers’ College as chaplain, Otto Zachariah posted to Keyo Secondary School as a chaplain and Olara James is the Chaplain of Koch Goma Secondary School.
Keyo is the first mission station in Acholi land when the missionaries came in 1903 and officially opened the station in 1904. While reading the history of Christianity in Acholi land the Rev. Wilson Atine mentioned that among the key challenges in the spread of the Gospel in Acholi land is the lack of support to the clergy, he said the clergy in the diocese do not have stipend and when asked how much each one gets the Rev. Wilson Atine said the response from clergy is that they will know their salary when they reach Heaven. It was because of this that Rev. Canon Titus Baraka said the clergy stipend is also here on earth except that the lost sheep have also gone with the lost coins. He challenged the clergy to look for the lost sheep and in them they would also find the lost coins which will in turn provide them with the physical needs like food, shelter and many others.


Alex Okello from a witch doctor to a preacher

In another related development, Mr Alex Okello a prominent witchdoctor in Gulu who recently accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, appealed to the other witchdoctors to turn away from their evil practices and receive peace of mind and freedom from bondage. Alex said people used to fear him instead of respecting, him. A detail story about Alex is coming soon.


The first official appearance of the Clergy’s spouses in their uniform, Rev. Captain Baraka and Mary (C) squatting down


Mrs. Christine Gakumba made history in the Diocese of Northern Uganda by being the first to form the Clergy Women Fellowship. The group of women now has a saving scheme and out of that they to start keeping poultry, tree planting, outside catering just to mention but a few. They need your prayer and support.

A church burnt down in Northern Uganda

By Rev. Willy Akena
Although Kony’s war is over in Northern Uganda, but the spirit of burning grass thatched houses is still raging on. On Friday night, community of Akonyibedo village in Unyama Parish Aswa County woke up astounded to see the Church that was built by the Christian in this place burnt down, about five other houses were also burnt by one called Ojok Morris. According to the Catechist Florence Okoya, the Church was built last year 2009 during the time of return. The community who also lived in grass thatched huts, decided to put up a place for worship of God. This was a central place in their lives where they renew their lives and gain energy to continue moving. The Parish Priest of Pakwelo whose sub-parish is Akonyibedo, Rev. Komakech Charles reported the incident to the Bishop on Saturday 23rd October, 2010. You could see the trauma in the Reverend who did not even realize that he had not combed his hair while coming to report this case. On a visit to the Site of the incident, we found the church still burning. One old woman whose husband donated the land to the Church said “latim man omyero oto woko pien man tim marac atikatika” meaning the man who did this deserve to die.
Rev. Charles Okello the Diocesan Education Co-ordinator who also visited the scene strongly condemned this act as satanic and unchristian. To the Church he however said” We as a church need to stop building grass thatched houses like the one that was burnt down and focus on the ministry of healing of trauma and memories, and also appeal to the NGO’s throughout the world to help in resettlement and restoration” to the government the Reverend said “It is high time the government gives support to improve the livelihood of people in the community” Said Okello
On Sunday 24th October the Bishop of the Diocese of northern Uganda the Rt. Rev. Johnson Gakumba also visited the church. He was met by the Catechist and a few Christians who were praying under a tree now that their church is burnt down. They appreciated the visit by their Bishop and said it is a true sign of a good Shepherd. The Bishop equally condemned this act and blamed it on trauma as a result of the war. The Bishop also urged the christian to collect the bricks that still look good and make some more so that they rebuild their church. He however stopped them from using grass again as this may be burnt down. He encouraged them to raise the wall and together with them he will look for iron sheets.
In line with this incident the Bishop is kindly appealing to well wishers to support this church by donating iron sheets so that the people are resettled back to their church. Incase of interest to support, call the Bishop on + 256 (0) 772601421 or e-mail j.kumba.faith@hotmail.com

Challenges in our Primary Schools in Northern Uganda

Report on text books distribution in 33 primary schools in Diocese of Northern Uganda
By Rev. Okello Charles –Education Secretary
Background
Education Department Diocese of Northern Uganda requested for text books from Director Children International Church of Uganda-Provincial Education Department. After receiving these text books I drew programme to distribute it to 33 Primary School within the Dioceses of Northern Uganda
Strategies used during distributions
• Requested for a vehicle to help in the distribution
• Requested for a driver to drive the vehicle
• Requested enough fuel to reach the 33 schools
• Encouraged headteachers, teachers and pupils to make good use of the books and develop
• Prayed for the administrators, teachers and pupils of these schools as I distributed text books
• Asked the school administrators of challenges they are facing in the day to day running of their schools

Achievements
• We distributed the text book to 33 schools which are church of Uganda founded schools
• Each of the 33 schools received at least 100 text books
• We guided the teachers to take teaching as God given service. To guide and direct the future of the young children
• We encouraged the children to develop goals in vacation they would take in future. This is to help them be self driven and work hard
Challenges we met during the distribution exercise
• Many children in rural schools don’t have access to text books
• Teachers lack reference books
• Many children move bear feet. This indicates that they lack most essential things for life
• Teachers have no accommodation in school
• There is high level of unexpected absentism of teaching during rainy season
• Time management is very poor due to distance from teachers homes to schools
• Some schools have no staff room and offices
• Most school lack equipment for co-curricular activities
• Many school wanted books for science which was very few copies
• The capacity of administrators in schools is very law
RECOMMENDATION
• We need more of the science text books for primary schools
• We need support to improve our schools to become model schools
• We need more houses for teachers accommodation in schools
• We need library, staff room and additional class rooms in some schools
• We need equipment for co-curricular activities

Voice of Youth From Northern Uganda

PETITION OF THE YOUTH TO THE GOVERNMENT AND ALL PEACE PRACTITIONERS.
Guest of honour, fellow youth, children, country men and women of this nation. Today as we celebrate the international day of Peace, we have to bear at the back of our mind that this is a global call for ceasefire and non violence. We the youth of Northern Uganda invites all nations and peace practitioners to honour cessation of hostilities and commemorate the day through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.
Youth, peace and development are closely interlinked. Peace enables development, which is critical in providing opportunities for young people, particularly those in countries emerging from conflict. Healthy, educated youth are in turn crucial to sustainable development and peace. Peace, stability and security are essential to achieving the millennium development goals aimed at slashing poverty, hunger, disease and maternal mortality by 2015.
All the negative conditions above reflect greatly on us the youth of Northern Uganda who are emerging from the dark claws of war for the last 2 decades. We have comparatively lagged behind in terms of economic security, education, employment, health and our hope in life has continued to dwindle. This year’s celebration of the International Peace Day and particularly the theme: “Peace, Youth and Development present to us a perfect opportunity to aid out our voices in demand for a peaceful co-existence and development.
Peace is something unseen, something untouched and something divine that needs a gradual process to reach at. Peace in northern Uganda is a general concern and the wish of all Ugandans and all the stakeholders to ensure that a common understanding exists so that everything runs smoothly.
A cry for peace is the tears of all in suffering, so is Uganda. We the youth of northern Uganda appeal to any warrior and peace lover to help us seek and find peace through love, forgiveness, reconciliation but not through hatred, wars and rebellion.
In the same spirit, we would like to appeal to all Ugandans to develop the spirit of love and accommodation of each others views especially in the forth coming national elections next year. We have witnessed the untold suffering that violence can inflict in the society in the recent years in Kenya. We would therefore not wish to experience the same in the name of our political differences.
In conclusion, as we join the whole world, we believe that with commitment in the peace process we shall have it one day. We call upon the government and the Lord’s Resistance Army to pursue a peaceful means of ending the conflict in our region.
I say this, FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY.


In another related development on September 21st 2010 a Peace March was held in Gulu as part of the celebration of International World Peace Day the Chairman of Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative Rt. Rev. Johnson Gakumba gave a speech and Rev. Willy gives you an extract.
We as religious leaders support the initiative of the World all over to celebrate a day of peace. Peace does not necessarily means absent of war. For instance people fighting for land is a sign that there is no peace, where domestic violence is high is sign that there is no peace, when fellow citizens fight for votes that is a sign of insecurity, when people abuse each other on radios is a sign that they are not at peace. So peace should not only be treated as silence of the gun but where God’s children live in harmony with one another and this should start at home.

Under the theme “Showing solidarity with all people affected by the LRA regardless of the country they come from” I would like to link this to the LRA disarmament bill and Northern Uganda Recovery Act 2009 which president Obama signed into law on the 24th May 2010. Since we stand for non violence we wrote an open letter urging him against use of force.
This walk which is dedicated to the children abducted by the LRA and the suffering they go through, for the sake of these children we urge regional movements to adapt dialogues to end the war.
Every effort should therefore be made to provide opportunities for defection, to provide services such as rehabilitation centre in CAR, DRC, Sudan and Uganda and to foster reconciliation within communities.
For over 23 years millions of our sisters and brothers throughout Northern Uganda and Eastern Uganda have suffered violence at the hands of the LRA rebel group. As church leaders from Northern Uganda, we have witnessed the past and present impact of the LRA in our communities. We know children who were abducted and force to fight for the LRA. We know women who were raped and abused by the LRA, and we know of countless others who are still in captivity with the rebels.
Recommendations:-
To the Lords Resistance Army
• Immediately desist from all forms of violence against the civilian population
• Release those abducted so they may return home to their families
• Allow uninhibited access to individuals in need so that humanitarian aid can be provided to them
• Show a commitment to peace by renewing communication with the GoU and or other stakeholders
• Honour commitments made during the Juba Peace Talks
To the Government of Uganda
• To develop a withdrawal plan for Ugandan troops in co-ordination with the regional governments and the United Nations to ensure civilian protection and containment of conflict
• Honour the commitment made to the Juba Peace Talks and seek ways for the hurried implementation of the agenda items
• Fulfill the commitment to the Peace and Recovery and Development Plan (PRDP) both financially
• Practically endure effective performance
• Prioritize reconciliation and forge ways to faster harmonious coexistence
Regional Governments of LRA affected areas (Uganda, DRC, South Sudan and CAR)
• Purse dialogue with the LRA as a means of ending the conflict
• Continue to engage in robust diplomacy with regional stakeholders to meet the needs of the affected people.
• Develop and support a joint containment strategy to ensure the violence does not continue to spread
• Make it a commitment to meeting the humanitarian needs of the LRA affected communities in a time sensitive manner
• Develop a plan to foster the return and rehabilitation of individuals who have been abducted by the LRA in their respective countries
• Engage in trust and confidence building approaches with the LRA
The International Community
• Increase support for the implementation of the items agreed upon in the Juba peace talks, especially transitional justice mechanisms which foster community reconciliation in accordance to what was agreed under Agenda Item#3 on Accountability & Reconciliation
• Engage with stakeholders at the grassroots level of all LRA affected areas in the region in order to determine a consensus on how to move forward.

100% turned up

This time round the Bishop visited Lakwatomer sub-parish which is in Koro Parish. A total of 37 Christian were confirmed on Sunday July 25th 2010. The service was attended by all the pupils of the primary school and this made the Bishop very happy. He thanked the Head teacher of the School, Mrs.Ventorina for mobilizing the Pupils. The Bishop said “This is the first school I have seen almost 100% turn up of pupils” Trees were planted in the school compound. The community also showed the church land that was given some years ago to church of Uganda. The Parish Priest Rev. Joyce Lakot Akena was grateful to the Bishop for having honoured their invitation to have the event in Lakwatomer

Students of Sacred Heart after confirmation by Bishop Johnson Gakumba

 

Foundation of faith in Acholi

On August 1st the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda Johnson Gakumba visited Keyo Church of Uganda. The Christians of Keyo are not happy that even after 100 years of Christianity in Acoliland, there is nothing to show off. There is on foundation built on Keyo Hill where the first Christians settled. While delivering his sermon, Bishop Gakumba stressed this point further. He shared with the congregation about the story of the two builders in the Bible where one laid his foundation on stone and the other one had the foundation of his house on sand. When the winds raged the building on a weak foundation collapsed. This according to the Bishop is an indication of the church in this part of Uganda.
Bishop Gakumba confirmed 97 Christian of which 43 girls came from Sacred Heart secondary School. Rev. Odora Willy Francis the chaplain in the school prepared these girls of confirmation trained them. Otto Zachariah who has just completed his studies from UCU and is now working in the school as a chaplain prepared students from Keyo Secondary School Other candidates were prepared by the Archdeacon of Keyo Archdeaconry Rev. Paskwali Cwinyaai who is also the parish priest.
As a fund raising strategy for the church, the Bishop’s portrait was sold at Ug. Shs. 100,000. Three portraits were sold; one bought by Keyo Secondary School another one by Keyo Parish and another one for the Primary School.
The Bishop was not happy that the Students of Keyo Secondary School, Keyo Community Polytechnic and pupils from the primary School, did not attend the service.
The traditional Chief of Lamogi, Rwot Loka Binya, narrated how they used to attend church while they were still very young, and how a lot of importance was put in religious education.
In a memorandum read to the Bishop, the Christians of Keyo church of Uganda appealed to the Bishop to continue giving Keyo a priority. They were not happy that the centenary celebration did not take place at Keyo, but instead the event took place at Mican. They partly accepted that this was because of the war that had displaced people away from their villages.

New face to the Diocesan blog

Diocese of Northern Uganda has redesigned easy to use website. We give glory to God for the support we have got from Brian Moore who was here for just 6 weeks. Among the many things that he did for the Diocese was the giving of a new face to the Diocesan blog. You can now get the list of Archdeaconries, Parishes, Departments, how to help us and of course you get latest updates from the Diocese of Northern Uganda. Brian, we are grateful.

A miracle has happened

Rev. Willy Akena reports
In what many people here have seen as the mighty work of God in the Diocese of Northern Uganda, on Sunday 2nd May 2010 at St. Philips Cathedral Gulu, two retired Bishops received cars for their personal use during their retirement. Bishop Nelson Onono-Onweng who was consecrated in 1998 and retired in 2009, received Car Number UAK 877V, while Bishop Allan Oboma who retired in 1998 received car Registration number UAN 517 J. The current Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda Johnson Gakumba locally fundraised for the car that was given to Bishop Allan Oboma, while the one given to Bishop Nelson had been bought for the Diocese of Northern Uganda during Nelson reign. While speaking to a large crowd that turned up for the function, the retired Bishop of Kitgum Diocese Mack Baker Ochola 11 said “ Tangu Otime” Meaning Miracle has happened. The reason that made people to believe that Tangu Otime is because in the history of the Church in Uganda, particularly in the Diocese of Northern Uganda, when a Bishop retires, he goes out without means of transport. A retired bishop is often found walking on foot or on boda body motorcycle riders. The Paramount Chief of Acholi Rwot Onen David Acana 11 thanked Bishop Johnson for thinking about the retired Bishops, he appealed to the Bishop to think about the retired clergy as well as catechist.

Commitment is a choice

The Assistant Bishop of Kampala Rt. Rev. Zac Niriygire said " Commitment is a choice" the Bishop was officiating at a wedding of Hope Atim and Titus Tumusiime held at Church of The Resurrection Bugologi on Saturday 24th. The Bishop was preaching from the Book of Ruth, chapter 1, where Ruth said to Naomi “Don’t ask me to leave you! Let me go with you, wherever you go. I willgo, wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die and that is where I will be buried. The wedding was attended by many people including the Rtd Bishops of Northern Uganda, Nelson Onono-Onweng, and Mama Brenda, Rtd Bishop Allan Oboma, the Diocesan Secretary Rev. Canon Ayela, and many other people from across the country. Hope is the first daughter of Bishop Johnson Gakumba. While speaking to the newly wedded couple Bishop Zac, said "I promise you Hope and Titus that you will meet challenges in your marriage". Bishop Zac said some of the challenges will come from outside, while others will come from within. The Bishop appealed to Hope and Titus to learn to forgive one another. The Bishop concluded by saying the Hope and Titus must run to Jesus Christ for answers to issues in their marriage.

A Clergy daughter returns from LRA captivity after 12 years

Adiya Lillian daughter of the Late Rev. Peter Ben Ochan and Mary Ochan (Vice president of the Mothers Union) today unites with her mother, brothers and sister after spending 12 years in the bush. Lillian was abducted by the LRA in May 1998 when she was just in Primary Five at Gulu Primary School. The LRA came at night up to the primary school and abducted a number of children, some of them returned while others died. While receiving her daughter, Mary said " I have been praying to God to protect you just like He did to Daniel in the Bible". Lillian on her part narrated how on several occasion she had tried to escaped but could not make it, until January this year, that she finally escaped, from January 2010 she has been staying with different people in Congo, including the UPDF, the Congolese army as well as villagers. From a girl of about 10 years in 1998 to now a woman with two kids; - Olal and Lamwaka Mercy, Lillian is not yet very sure how she will look after her siblings without the husband and with no proper education. To make matter worst, Lillian almost fainted on learning that her father is dead. With your prayer and support Lillian will have a bright future.
 
Report by Willy

The way of the Cross 2010

In Gulu the way of the Cross was led by the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese His Grace John Baptist Odama, and the Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda Johnson Gakumba. The about 6 Kilometres walk attracted a large number of the faithful. I have given you some pictures of the event in Gulu and one from Kampala where His Grace Henry Luke Orombi together with the christains in Kampala participated in the walk. Below is also a story that appeared in the New Vision.









Kasubi prayers cause debate
Friday, 2nd April, 2010

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Luke Orombi, carrying a cross in Kampala yesterday, in remembrance of the death of Jesus
By Ben Okiror

RELIGIOUS leaders have defended their involvement in the Kasubi tombs prayers last week, which had been criticised by some Christians for the site’s association with ancestral worship.

The prayers were led by Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga of the Kampala Catholic Archdiocese, who was wearing a bark cloth sash for the occasion.

He was joined by leaders of the Anglican, Pentecostal and Orthodox Churches as well as the Muslim faith.

Namirembe diocese Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira represented the Anglican Church.

Jonah Lwanga attended on behalf of the Orthodox Church in Uganda, while Zubair Kayongo of the Kibuli faction represented the Muslim community. Apostle Alex Mitala, represented Born-Again churches.

The religious leaders argued that they were only there to mourn with the Baganda and did not get involved in witchcraft. Pastors of some Born-again churches had objected to the presence of Christian leaders at the event.

Michael George Kizito, the president of the Watchman Africa Discernment Ministry, argued that Christians should not associate themselves with the tombs, a place where witchdoctors used to go to renew their powers..

“The burning of the tombs was unacceptable,” wrote Kizito in The New Vision yesterday. “However, there is no way a true Christian can pray to God to rebuild a temple where satanic rituals, such as devil invocation, pipe smoking, ancestral possession, fire altars, ritual cleansing and worship of the dead are practised.”

Pastor Anthony Owalu of Hope Restoration Ministries, while also condemning the burning of the tombs, said it was wrong for the religious leaders to pray at the Kasubi site. “They should have called for a prayer elsewhere and consecrate that place (Kasubi) to God. I would not want to be associated with such a place as a religious leader because of the traditional rituals that are being practiced there.”

Archbishop Lwanga has rejected the accusations, saying his critics were uninformed. He said Jesus Christ asked his apostles to spread the gospel to anybody without boundaries.

He cited Apostle Paul’s visit to Athens where he explained to idol-worshippers that the ‘unknown god’ was actually the Almighty God.

“We were there for a good purpose and nothing about witchcraft was mentioned,” Lwanga said. “We have bishops buried in the church compound, is that witchcraft? Ignorance prompts people to make such sweeping statements.”

Sheikh Hassan Kirya, the spokesperson for Kayongo, said they were there to pray for Kabaka Mutesa I since he was the first Muganda to embrace Islam. “Islam teaches us to pray for the dead and because Mutesa I did a lot to spread Islam, he is more important to us than anyone else,” Kirya said.

He explained that a Koran and the kettle used during the king’s ablution were lying on his tomb, according to the Islamic tradition. “The mosque in Kasubi was the first in Uganda, built in the 1880s,” he noted.

He added that the Muslims who went for the Kasubi tombs prayers were not part of witchcraft or the rituals performed that day.

Pastor Martin Sempa of the Makerere Community Church said he was there to ask God “to extinguish the fires in grieving people’s hearts that were ignited by strife”.

He agreed that there were some unchristian cultural practices by the kingdom but these were changing because of the church’s involvement. “The policy of disengagement is abdication of our responsibility as religious leaders,” Sempa said. “Even the Bible teaches to mourn with those who mourn. A family is a family and if the behaviour of some members may be unworthy, it does not mean you don’t attend family functions.”

The retired Anglican bishop of Mityana, Dunstan Bukenya, said the event was of critical nature and those who denounced the prayers were wrong. He said Kasubi was a burial place like any other. “If a night dancer went to a grave, it would not stop other people from visiting it.”

However, his successor, Stephen Kazimba, who did not go to Kasubi because of other commitments, said he would have first established what would take place to ensure it did not conflict with his faith.

Kazimba last year led a team of two other Anglican bishops and five clergy members to destroy a traditional shrine in a village in Mityana after the owner repented.

He however absolved his colleagues who went to Kasubi, saying they could have gone to show solidarity with the mourners without knowing what else was taking place there.

The Buganda kingdom’s deputy information minister, Medard Lubega, acknowledged that certain cultural practices took place at the Kasubi Tombs.

However, he said, any rituals performed were exclusively the business of those concerned.

“I am a Christian who lives among people of different religions but I do not take offence at their practices,” he noted

Church leaders are encouraged to go where satanic practices are performed to preach the gospel, he added.

He called the discussion diversionary and reiterated Mengo’s call for an independent probe into the cause of the fire.

“Our concentration is on investigating who exactly burnt the tombs.”

77 days the 7th Bishop visits 7 parishes plus 7 more things.

On Sunday 7th March 2010 Bishop Johnson marked 77 days as Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda as the 7th Bishop, Johnson visited 7 Parishes of the Diocese of Northern Uganda, and Rev. Willy Akena brings you some highlight of the 77 days. Bishop Johnson was consecrated on December 20, 2009 by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda His Grace Henry Luke Orombi who is also the 7th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. The following parishes have already been visited: - St. Philips Cathedral where they have an old cathedral built in 1913 by missionaries, a new cathedral is under construction, Christ Church has a church building, Awere, Nwoya, Anaka, Purongo and Agung. Among the key activities that have already taken place was the clergy and spouses retreat. Gulu Primary school hosted this event that saw about 100 participants for this retreat which took place from 27th -30th January 2010. It was a time for healing of memories as the clergy and their spouses shared their experiences of ministry during the difficult period of the war. They went back with hope especially given the peace that is now prevailing and the new Bishop coming in at this time of return and resettlement.



MISS ME BUT LET ME GO
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no riles in a gloom-filled room
why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a litt-le But not too long
And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me-But let me go
For this is a journey that we must take
And each must go alone
It’s all a step in the Master’s plan
A step on the road home
When you are lonely and sick of heart
Go to the friends we know
And burry your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me but let me go.
This was read during the burial of Rt. Rev. Patrick Kyaligonza Ateenyi

Many Bishops attended the burial of their brother Bishop Patrick who died in a motor accident along the Fort Portal Kyenjojo Road. It was a week of mourning in the Church of Uganda. While coming for the burial of Bishop Patrick, the Bishop of North Mbale and that of Sebei Diocese got involved in another accident that took away the life of Mrs Papertua Gimadu all this happened in the District of Kyenjojo





Bishop Johnson Gakumba former pupil of Kyema Primary School 43 year ago on Friday 5th March 2010 called upon the pupils to listen to their teachers is they are to succeed. He advised the pupils to fear God because if they fear God then they will not be disappointed. He said he came back to thank the teachers for making him what he is now. The Bishop gave a number gifts including box of soap for teachers, 600 pens for pupils, different ball and pump, and whistles The Headmistress of the School Mrs. Esther Kaunde thanked the Bishop for remembering his former school. Esther said most people never think about their primary schools and never remember to go back and say thank you. The Bishop said he used to walk on bare foot to come to school and sometimes beaten by rains. The Bishop of Masindi Kitara Rt. Stanley Ntgali thanked Bishop Johnson for remembering his former school and promise to strengthen the relationship between Masindi Kitara and Diocese of Northern Uganda. In another related development the Bishop was welcomed in his village church of St. Paul COUKiswata, Kyema Parish Masindi District. Excited congregation lined the road leading to the venue church compound, singing, dancing and making Ululations. A Christina band dressed in a Light Greenish uniform made the day even more colourful. The bishop handed over of a Stall to his brother Bishop Stanley, Surplice and cassock to the Parish Priest and different colours of table cloth for church survice. The community together with the committee handed over gift ranging from cows to broom.
107 Years ago the Church Missionary Society under the leadership of Albert Cook crossed the Nile from Bunyoro to Acholi land. They then had a rest at a place later to become the current Agung. The name Agung came as a result of Kneeling down to pray in that place, the Acholi’s who accompanied the missionaries and some banyoro later named the place Agung meaning we kneel down. On Sunday 7th March which is exactly 77 days since Bishop Johnson was consecrated, another interesting coincidence happened. The Rev Canon Robert Spingett led a team from the Church of England to attend a service at Agung. The Rev. John Ochola and his wife Christine this time was their guide together with the Chairman house of laity Mr. Benjamin Buruto and his wife Jennifer. This time the missionaries came from through Gulu Town and in two vehicles. Bishop Johnson together with his wife Christine and two of their children Lamwaka Charity and Peace Agenorwot , Ayo David the Driver, Rev. Willy Akena and his wife Poline, came from Masindi Kitara Diocese in Bunyoro through the Bridge of Karuma and this time not crossing the water on foot but in a vehicle into Acholi land. A renewed prayer was said on the spot the missionaries once knelt down to pray. It came to the notice of the congregation that some people had taken over the Alter and turned it into a devil alter.