By ELLY KARENZI IN IBANDA TOWN-
Bishop of Ankole Diocese, the Rt.Rev. Sheldon Mwesigwa has said that Ankole diocese under its leadership of the church synod sitting at St. James Cathedral, Mbarara last year approved the creation of four archdeaconries in Ibanda district as part of initiative taking services nearer to Christians.
The new diocese that is soon to be curved from Ankole diocese will be named North West Ankole with its seat at St. Paul in Ibanda archdeaconry.
According to the Rt. Rev. Mwesigwa,the four archdeaconries include Ibanda, Kakinga,Bigyera and Nyabuhikye. He added that, the four archdeaconries are already in operational with 24 church parish.
He said the Provisional Church of Uganda Planning and Rehabilitation committee led by the Rt. Rev. Stephen Kazimba of Mityana diocese,Rev.Can. Kaweesa ,the diocesian secretary and Ms. Christine Kintu Murimira from Namirembe diocese,yesterday visited Ibanda district on a mission of getting information and details for the new proposed diocese.
Some of the conditions for a new diocese set by Provincial Church of Uganda include capacity to meet the cost of service delivery, church building for the cathedral, enough land for the church projects, having a master plan in place, having a population of not less than 100,000 Christians and residential houses for the Bishop and his staff.
Speaking to www.mknewslink.com in Ibanda district ,the Bishop of Ankole diocese, the Rt. Rev. Mwesigwa said at least 70% of the conditions for the diocese status required have been put in place.The archdeacon, Ibanda archdeaconry, the Rev. Can. Yoramu Atwine who led the standing committee team to tour all the church projects, said offices for the new proposed diocese are under construction, three computers have been purchased and mothers’ projects are in place.
He added that Ibanda archdeaconry has planted three acres of Banana plantations, two acres of eucalyptus trees, eight lock up shops for generating income and are being rented, Ibanda Mission Health center 111, Ibanda child center for the needy children, one plot in Ibanda town council and three church institutions including Kibubura Girls” senior secondary school, Ibanda Integrated primary school and Ibanda Vocationational school among others.
The Rt.Rev Stephen Kazimba requested the peopleof Ibanda district to continue working as a team to bring service delivery nearer to Christians on the grass root.
He assured the Christians that the standing committee will table final reports from other dioceses which will be submitted to the House of Bishops. He explained that the House of Bishops will sit in August this year to discuss on the reports and recommendations from standing committee.