Bishop Elect arrives in Gulu

Bishop Nelson Onono-Onweng whispering to the Bishop Elect Canon Johnson Gakumba during the informal service at Christ Church in Gulu

The Bishop Elect Rev. Canon Johnson Gakumba on arrival in Koro about 8 Kilometers from Gulu Town
THE BISHOP ELECT, CANON Johnson GAKUMBA ARRIVES IN GULU
B
usiness in Gulu town came to a stand still on Saturday 15, August 2009 as the Bishop Elect Rev. Canon Johnson Gakumba arrived in the town. A convoy of about 40 vehicles paralyzed the town, with brass band leading the procession into Gulu town. Jubilant crowd escorted the Bishop Elect along the Kampala- Gulu Highway. The over 8 Kilometers welcome was one of the unique events in the history of this town that had known only war for the past years. Thank God the prevailing peace has given people opportunity to regain their lost glory. The Acholi are well known for their cultural dances and making sweet ululations. While speaking to a mammoth congregation that assembled at St. Philips Cathedral on Sunday 16, August 2009, the Rev. Canon Johnson said he had lots of reservation in sending his curriculum vitae, until the Diocesan Secretary asked him if he wanted to be like Jonah in the Bible who wanted to run away from the mission placement to Nineveh.
Congratulatory Messages: On behalf of the clergy, the Diocesan Staff, Christians in the Diocese of Northern Uganda and on my own behalf, I congratulate you for your successful election of being the 7th Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda. Seven is a perfect number according to Jews and your ministry to the people will be a perfect one. Please be strong and of good courage (read Joshua 1:6-7) May God help you as you take up the new task assigned to you by our Almighty God. Yours sincerely in the Lord's service

Rev. Canon Ayela Okot O.L
DIOCESAN SECRETARY

Mothers Union:-Pwoc ma oa ki bot dul pa Mothers Union me Diocese. Bishop ma kiyero manyen, Rev. Canon Johnson Gakumba. Ma ka wang mon me Mothers Union me Kineno man, mukwongo wacwalo pwocwa bot Lubanga muketo polo ki lobo pi tic me aura ma en otiyo pi kineno man me yero in me bedo laneno manyen. Pwoc madit wacwalo boti Rev.Canon Johnson, pi ye lwongo ma Lubanga olwongi iye. Ladit, Lubanga aye ma ocimo in me bedo ma latic pi kineno man. I dongo I Gulu i cako kwan me tic pa Lubanga nio ka idoko ladit kanica. Amiti ami caden I komi, In lakwat maber ma to pi romi mere. I kare ma piny rac I lobo me Acholi in pe iloko ngeyi me ngwec, iye me too I kin romi meri, man onyuto mar, tek cwiny ki diyo cwiny pi lwaki ma I kineno man. Kwiri ni waneno I tic ma itiyo I Kitgum ki Christ Church. Lubanga pe cimo dano ata, ongiyo in matut ci omiyo owok ki bot jo ma gin gubolo nyingi, wapwoyo jo ducu me nomination committee, kacel ki ot pa luneno. Walego Lubanga me gwoki, medo ryeko, ki onyo gum I komi I kare me keti I kom. Deyo obed bot Lubanga. Amen. Vice President Mothers Union. Mrs Mary Ocan.
On my behalf and my family, on behalf of the assistant Vicars, Catechist, Church wardens/side women, parish council, mothers Union, youth, Sunday school teachers and the entire congregation of St. Philips Cathedral, I would like to sincerely congratulate you for being elected the 7th Bishop of this diocese. We welcome you and your family all heartedly. We pray to the Almighty God to protect, keep you and provide you wisdom to lead his people as Joshua did. God is with you. Be determine and courageous (Joshua 1:1-9). Vicar St. Philips Cathedral Rev. James Okoyo.
Dear Bishop Elect,
It was on Saturday August 8, 2009 when the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda elected you to be the seventh Bishop in succession in the Diocese of Northern Uganda.
On behalf of my family, the clergy, the laity, the entire Diocese and my own behalf, I heartedly congratulate you for being called as the chief shepherd.
I trust God the Father of Jesus Christ who by His grace and mercy has called you into church leadership in an area which has a history of revolt against the Government and has been a place of long rebellion will not leave you alone.
It is now approximately 20 years when the people began to return from exile. Your task is to restore the faith and prosperity of the people. The God of compassion will rescue the people from both political and spiritual oppression (Isaiah 14:1-2) and their restoration is like a new Exodus (43: 2, 16-19; 52:10-12)
Therefore the theme of “Highway" for the return of exiles is to be prominent in your leadership (Isaiah 40:3).
Now move on forward with the people like a school of fish in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Yours in His service,
Rt. Rev. Nelson Onono-Onweng
DIOCESAN BISHOP
Message from the Bishop’s Elect. Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Thank you for the very ENCOURAGING message from you and the Clergy of DNU .I personally felt am not the best candidate God always uses the weak to a shame the strong. Since it is God who has called me out of the many to be an overseer I want to assure all the clergy and the Christians who still doubt that the Lord who has called us as family, is able and faithful and he will accomplish His mission through us .Our God does not make mistakes. I see myself as a team leader and servant not a LORD.
It is my prayer that the Lord will give us spirit of unity and love. The Bible says in 1 John 4:20 that "if any says he loves God, yet he hates his brother, he is a lier..." we can’t preach love which we don’t practice. As the chief shepherd my desire is that we shall be one. No one should feel excluded in Gods house .There is room in my father’s house.
Yes the tasks ahead are challenging but together working as team we can.
May God bless you and my love to all.
I look forward to coming home soon.
Yours in the Love of Christ
REV CAN JOHNSON GAKUMBA.
VICAR/BISHOP ELECT DNU.

Northern Uganda gets new Bishop

The house of bishop elected the Rev. Canon Johnson Gakumba as the new bishop of the diocese of northern Uganda replacing Bishop Nelson Onono-Onweng. The consecration and enthronement is set for December 20th 2009 at St. Philips Cathedral Gulu. Rev. Canon Johnson was a Vicar at Bugolobi church of Uganda in Kampala until his election.
Congratulations Canon Johnson


Rev. Willy Akena
DIOCESAN INFORMATION OFFICER
0772667334

In loving memory of Blandina Oboma

Mrs Blandina Oboma died on 30th June, 2009 at 6:30 am at the age of 69. Burial took place at St.Philips Cathedral Gulu. Below is her Life History. She was suffering from Diabetic and Hypertension.

Life History of Mama Blandina Aceng Oboma
Her Parents
Mama Blandina Acheng Oboma was born on 1st January 1940 to Mr. Bulasio Okello of Atyak Pupwonya Gaya Parubanga.

Her life and Education
1950-1954 (P1-P4) she studied at Keyo Primary School while staying at Mr. and Mrs Ocacimo O Onyac who was the Headmaster of that School. They were well looked after together with other children.

1955-1956 (P5-P6) she moved to Atyak Pupwonya Church of Uganda Primary School and studied P5-P6 and sat the Primary Leaving Examination and passed very well and Mr. Sylvester Ayo Otogo was the Headmaster of that school.
1956-1957 She was admitted to St. Monica’s Girls’ Junior Secondary School where she studied junior secondary one and two.

1958 She studied at St. Hilda’s Teachers College for Women specializing in teaching infants. It was a one year course.
1959 She was posted to teach at Koch Goma Church of Uganda Primary School where she taught for one year. The Headmaster was A.O. Ociti 11. While there, she also taught some adults at Community Development. She taught Reading and Writing, etc.
1960-1961 As she had just been married traditionally to Gideon Allan Oboma, both of them were transferred to Namukora Church of Uganda Primary School. Gideon A. Oboma was appointed the Headmaster of the School.

20th June 1960 They wedded in Holy Marriage Matrimony at Namukora Church, officiated over by Rev. Eromiya D Ogony who was the parish priest of Omiya Anyima Parish which extended as far as Opari in Southern Sudan. Their matron was Miss Filda Adoch who was teaching at Akilok. She was then married to Silvano Oloya the late, who was also a school teacher. The best man was Mr. Wilson Kitara the late who was teaching at Omiya- Anyima Church of Uganda Primary School.

1962-1975 She taught at Atyak Pupwonya Church of Uganda Primary School where both of them were transferred.
1976-1982 Blandina taught at Gulu Primary School.

September 1982 She accompanied her husband and they went to Trinity College, Bristol, England where she studied for a Certificate in Theology.
1983-1984 They moved to Oak Hill Theological College in North London UK. She continued with her studies along side her husband. She studied Church History and other subjects. She also studied Mothers’ Union work.

June 1984 She returned to Uganda leaving her husband Bishop Gideon to continue with his studies at Oak Hill Theological College. She continued to teach in various ways. They started the first tailoring school in Gulu Together with Mrs. Rachael Obol the late.

1985-1987 The daughter of Canon Mac Baker Ochola 11, Joyce Adong died after abduction. Canon and his family were returning from Canada where he has completed his Theological Studies.

4th May another death occurred at the home of Bishop Gideon and his wife Blandina. Three members of their family were killed in cold blood. The three people were their son Barnabus Rwot Okonya who was in senior 3 in Gulu High School, Jacob Ocen and Pauline his wife. They died leaving Miriam a baby girl of only three months old.
May, 1887 The Archbishop at that time Dr. Yona Okoth arranged and airlifted us to Entebbe; first Gideon and some children, then later Blandina and some children of Bishop Canon Mac. Baker Ochola 11 who as the Diocesan Secretary at that time they were returning from Canada.

The Archbishop hosted Bishop Gideon and his family for three months after which they moved to Bishop Tucker Theological College where they were displaced for three years. The Bishop of Mukono diocese then the Rt. Rev. Livingstone M. Nkoyoyo allowed them to perform their pastoral ministry in confirmation services. Nkoyoyo later become Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.

1988 Mama Blandina and Bishop Gideon A Oboma attended the Lamberth Conference at Canterbury University in UK.
15th June, 1990 Mama Blandina and Bishop Gideon with their chidren returned to Gulu to continue with their pastoral ministry to the Diocese of Northern Uganda which was the entire Acholi sub region.

Mama Blandina A Oboma was elected Mothers’ Union President which she did for six years. They really worked very well covering the diocese. Together with the Mother’s Union Worker at that time, they are still remembered for what they did.
1993 They visited United Kingdom for some few months. They then visited the Mary Surmer House, the Headquarters of the Mothers’ Union in London UK.

November, 2008-March 2009 Blandina and Bishop Gideon visited United Kingdom. As the weather was bad Blandina was not quite well and she did not travel much. When they returned her health did not improve much.

On June 27th 2009 she spend a night in Gulu referral Hospital and on 28th June she was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital Lacor. There was no improvement on her health.
ON 30th June, 2009 at 6:30 am on St. Peter’s day, Mama Blandina went to her Lord and Saviour. She left behind four biological children, two girls and two boys and indeed many children whom she had been caring for.

She had been a very hard working, dedicated, faithful, loving, caring and friendly lady. She died in Christ and may she rise in glory. May Praise and Glory be to Him. Amen

Capacity Building at the Women Development Centre

Apiyo Monica (L) and Adong Kevin Odwong are among those who have already reported for 2nd Term 2009
The Diocesan Secretary Rev.Canon Ayela Okot Othniel Labeja shortly after handing over a certificate of attendance to Ajok Joyce (R), Irene Ayo is looking at the certificate and the Chairperson Women Development Centre Mrs. Jennifer Buruto (L)
End of May updates from the Women Development Centre 2009
As part of capacity building at the Women Development Centre (WDC), a four days training on professionalism was conducted at the Diocesan headquarters. The training attracted all the tutors of the WDC. The facilitators Irene Can and Ojok Anthony came from St. Monica Centre in Gulu. The following key areas were covered: - Teacher’s Professional Code of Conduct and Criteria, Scheme of Work, Lesson plan and Assessment
While closing the training, the Diocesan Secretary Rev. Canon Ayela called upon the teachers to exhibit the highest level of professionalism in order to have a positive impact on the learners. “Teachers who practice what they teach gain respect from the students” The Rev Canon said. He cited an example of a teacher who used to command lots of respect, lost it miserably after his trouser felt off in front of the pupils due to drankardness. The affected teacher requested for transfer immediately, because of the embarrassment he was having.

There is plan to organize another training for the tutors in other areas. In another related development, second term opens Monday 25, May 2009 with low turn up in most school in the district. At the WDC, by Friday 30, May 2009 only 30 students had reported. When asked why some of the students have not yet come, one of the student, Apiyo Sunday said, “The current rain is affecting the turn up, with some student very busy in their gardens, preparing fields, planting, while others weeding”. Another student said the low turn up is due to inability to raise some of the requirement for personal effect.



Information reaching us is that Akello Vicky is not able to report early because she is nursing her child who got burnt during the holidays. The Head girl, Grace Anek lost a relative and still with the bereaved family. We still expect more students to report.

Graduation at Women Development Centre

The Mothers Union Worker, Mrs Christine Abia hands over a new sewing machine to Akello Scovia upon completion of her course at WDC.

Like the disciples of Jesus Christ, the 12 students of the WDC hold their certificates

This is where we start from”, Apiyo Kevin excites Bishop Nelson with her display of her first product as year one at the WDC (dress made out of used cement bags) Brenda Onono and Mrs. Piramoi (Centre) taking their turn too.
Welcome to the latest update from the Women Development Centre (WDC) April/May 2009
By Rev. Willy Akena
“I AM EXCITED TODAY” “NOW I WILL BE ABLE TO LOOK AFTER MY SON”. SCOVIA ONE OF THE STUDENT WHO COMPLETED HER COURSE WAS HEARD SAYING AFTER RECEIVING THE SEWING MACHINE. SCOVIA COMPLETED HER ONE YEAR COURSE AT THE WDC. SHE WAS FORCED TO LEAVE SCHOOL IN PRIMARY SEVEN, AFTER A BOY MADE HER PREGNANT AND LEFT HER, A CHILD MOTHER