E. mail address

Some of you asked me to post my e-mail address.
I have the following addresses

akenawilly@yahoo.co.uk
dnu@utlonline.co.ug

Happy New Year 2010

New Beginning in Northern Uganda

Johnson now the Bishop of Northern Uganda.

Sunday, 20th December, 2009




By Chris Ocowun and Dennis Ojwee

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday said reconciliation is only possible if those causing trouble repent.

“Reconciliation is possible and desirable if the troublemakers repent. Salvation in the church is possible if the trouble makers repent.”

He was responding to calls for reconciliation by Gulu district chairman, Norbert Mao, at the consecration of Rev. Canon Johnson Gakumba as the 7th Anglican bishop of the diocese of Northern Uganda.

Mao had earlier remarked that Museveni and Olara Otunnu found themselves at the same place for the first time in over two decades, the last time being when they held peace talks in 1985.

“In this holy ground today, the President and Otunnu can call themselves brothers. This enthronement has brought together two people, Museveni and Otunnu who were moving in parallel directions,” he said.

Museveni in his response said as much as the church continues to call for reconciliation, it should also ask Kony and his LRA terrorists to repent the crimes they committed against the people of northern Uganda, Congo and Southern Sudan.

He assured the mammoth crowd that Kony had been defeated and the LRA had no capacity to return to Uganda.

“I want to reassure you that the current prevailing peace in northern Uganda is irreversible and Kony will never return to disrupt it.”

He added that since the LRA fled to Garamba National Park in eastern Congo, 309 fighters have been killed, 79 fighters reported, 35 were captured and 566 abductees rescued, together with their 33 children.

“Although Kony, Odhiambo and Dominic Ongwen have not yet been killed or captured, they cannot come back again to fight. We shall get them there. Or they should better surrender, like Arop. There will be no danger for them if they surrender,” he said.

Museveni lashed out at some people in northern Uganda who keep referring to the LRA leader as ‘ladit’ (Luo for ‘sir’).

“A top killer like Kony, you call him ladit! Kony is a laneko (killer). Why should you call a terrorist ladit? No, Kony is not ladit because he is a terrorist who has been killing Ugandans for the last 20 years and he has not stopped or repented.”

The President said if anybody wants anything, all ways are spelt out in the Constitution but not through terrorism or threats. He also cautioned that the army has matured today and terrorism is out of the question.

Museveni said Mao, as a young politician, should stop running here and there but instead join him, as his father, and use yat ma tiyo (medicine that works) to find solution to problems.

He advised the people of Gulu to consolidate the current peace and fight theft of NAADS and NUSAF funds by reporting corrupt officials.

“I appeal to you to give information. You will get a lot of service. Gulu district alone gets sh27b annually while Amuru district fetches sh15b. This money can make a big impact in your life,” he said.

Museveni later pledged to help the people of Northern Uganda diocese construct their cathedral. He donated a new Pajero Mitsubishi vehicle worth sh110m to the new bishop for his pastoral duties.

The consecration of the new bishop was presided over by the Anglican Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Henry Luke-Orombi, and assisted by all 34 Anglican bishops. Also present was the Catholic Archbishop for Gulu, John Baptist Odama.

More than 30 Bishops to attend the Consecration in Gulu

The chairman Construction explaining the development on the bishop residence
Three heads together: Bishop Nelson, Canon Aaron and the Bishop Elect looking at some document for the consecration


By Rev. Willy Akena
With just about 25 days to the Consecration and Enthronement of the New Bishop of the Diocese of northern Uganda, the Rev. Canon Johnson Gakumba, the office of the Archbishop of Church of the province of Uganda assigned the Provincial Secretary Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye to come to Gulu and prepare the way.
While meeting members of the organizing committee for the consecration, the Rev. Canon Aaron said “I have come to encourage and motivate you” he added that he has come just like John the Baptist, to prepare the way for the House of Bishops and the consecration and Enthronement of Canon Johnson Gakumba. He added that more than 30 bishops have already shown interest to attend the consecration which will start with the house of bishops meeting on 18th December 2009. So far 23 visitors from the UK, 10 from Germany, 3 from America, 1 from Canada, about 200 from Luzira, 1 bus from Masindi, 2 buses from Madi West Nile Diocese, more than 30 clergy and their wives from Kampala Diocese.
The Chairman Organizing committee Hon. A.A Ongom said the budge for the function is 292 million Uganda shillings and that the two big items on the budget are :- Bishop’s residence at 89 million and transport (vehicle) at 90 million. The chairman added that the two items seems to be a real challenge for the committee.
The following were the key areas that the Provincial Secretary came to check:-Distribution of Invitation cards, Venue for the Consecration and Enthronement/ Reception, Accommodation for the Bishops and other guest, Budget, Bishop’s residence, vehicle for the Bishop, Vestment, Order of Service, and retreat centre.

The chairman Construction explaining the development on the bishop residence
As the people are just coming our of the war situation, their capacity is limited, but they are trying their best to host the consecration and enthronement. You are welcome to support us to have a successful function.


The Bishop’s residence currently under renovation was build in 1934

Chairman Organisning Committee Treasurer Chairman Finance
AA Ongom 0752434686 Eliakim O.Oyo 0774309818 Mark Avola 0772494881

Publicity and Secretariat
Rev. Willy Akena 0772667334

FROM SCRATCH TO CASH A TRUE STORY

Beatrice Atuku formerly abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army is one of the many who benefited from the sewing machine scheme. She is currently teaching in a vocational School and at the same time a tailor.

Ocwer Esther is one of the most successful beneficiaries of the sewing machine, she is in Gulu Town and they are making bags for export to European Countries

Most of the students at the Women Development Centre had no proper source of income for survival before their training. Some of the students were abducted by the Rebels of the Lords Resistance Army. And as a result, they missed formal education, parental care, and came back child mothers or even disabled. After training at the women development centre for one year, the students are ready to start earning a leaving. For about two weeks the o-coordinator Women Development Centre Rev.Willy Akena took his time off to visit some of the former students of the women Development Centre. He compiled the pictorial presentation of a few of them, as seen in the pictures.

Every day I get up, I am sure of at least 2000 (two thousands shillings), Said Esther who is now hiring a small room in the town. In their room which is about 4 meters by 3, Esther and her three occupants (all tailors) are very busy making hand bags. The bags are made of local materials. According to Esther, their bags are exported to European Countries. Here, I also met a former students Aya Sarah, who although has not benefited from the sewing machine from the Women Development Centre, but has got a sewing machine. Currently a sewing machine can be hired at a monthly fee of 8,000 (eight thousand shillings only). When asked why they are able to export the bags, Esther said some Europeans just make orders.
We wish to thank very much Elsabeth and her Church in Denmark for their contributions towards the sewing machines for the students at the Women Development Centre. So far a total of 42 Students have benefited from this scheme. We hope more will continue to benefit. At the moment we have 56 Students at the Centre and they are due to finish their course at the end of this month. The idea is that the students provide at least 25% of the total cost of the machines. As I write now, 10 students have already paid their 25% cost share for the machines. Attached is the list of the students and their location as well as some telephone contacts.

LEADING THE WAY IN CHURCH TRANSITION

Bishop Nelson, Bishop Elect Canon Johnson Gakumba and Brenda talking over tea.

Bishop Joel Obatia and Bishop Nelson shares light moment after the opening address at Emmanuel Cathedral Arua Thursday 15, 2009



By Rev. Willy Akena
The Bishop of Madi West Nile, Rt. Rev. Joel Obatia has commended Bishop Nelson for his exemplary leadership during this period of transition. Bishop Joel was on Thursday 15 October addressing members of staff from the Diocese of Northern Uganda who were in Madi West Nile Diocese for a three days retreat. The theme for the retreat is “Best approach to Transition”. The Bishop Elect, Rev. Canon Johnson Gakumba is being introduced to the staff and the activities carried out and plans for the coming years. The staff pledged their commitment to work with their new Bishop just like they did with Bishop Nelson. In his key note address, Bishop Joel said during transition, different reactions is expected, some people will be excited, others disappointed, and others just pull away. Bishop Joel said, “Nelson led the diocese during the most traumatic time” and that the New Bishop is coming at a time when Northern Uganda is entering into a new life. The bishop concluded by saying that the Diocese of Northern Uganda is leading the way in transition and that Madi West Nile should follow. On his part Bishop Nelson appealed to his brother bishops not to forget about the retired bishops. A total of 34 Staff attended this retreat