The Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, Rt. Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira has celebrated his last Christmas at the helm of the first diocese in the Church of Uganda province.
Prior to the delivery of his sermon to hundreds of congregants at St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, Bishop Luwalira noted that this was his last Christmas message ahead of his scheduled retirement on December 8th, 2023.
“We thank God for helping us serve for a period of 13 years now and we are scheduled to retire on 8th December 2023. It is not a secret that this is my last Christmas celebration as Bishop of Namirembe.
Thank you for allowing me, my wife, and my children to serve with you and we trust that the remaining period of our service will also be peaceful,” said Bishop Luwalira.
St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, commonly referred to as Namirembe Cathedral, is the oldest cathedral in Uganda. It serves as the provincial cathedral of the Anglican Church of Uganda and the diocesan cathedral for Namirembe Diocese, which was founded in 1890.
Bishop Luwalira has been at the helm of Namirembe Diocese for the last 13 years after his consecration in May 2009. The Church of Uganda Constitution requires Bishops to retire at 65 years of age.
On May 13th, the Namirembe Diocesan Synod meeting elected the Bishop’s nomination team that will nominate two eligible priests from whom the House of Bishops will deliver the sixth Bishop.
During his service as Bishop, Luwalira has seen the establishment of Namirembe FM-an Anglican Christian radio, the renovation of Namirembe Cathedral under the ‘Project Ttegula’ that raised 2.3 billion Shillings, the construction of the Mission House, Mothers Union Building, Bawereza House and several other church projects in the diocese.
Other bishops scheduled to retire next year are William Ssebaggala, the Bishop of Mukono Diocese, Eridard Nsubuga, the Bishop of Luwero Diocese, James Nasak, the Bishop of North Karamoja Diocese, and Cranmer Mugisha, the Bishop of Muhabura Diocese. In his last Christmas sermon, Luwalira said there is a need for the church to work hard to ensure its sustainability and that of the Christians.
He appealed for the continued protection of church land across the country by effectively putting it to use to deter land grabbers.
He encouraged Christians to fulfill God’s purpose in whatever they do by being the salt and light of the World, being good witnesses, and offering services that promote freedom and justice.
Luwalira cautioned against conflicts, insecurity, kidnaps, the growing gap between the rich and the poor, immorality, corruption, and other vices.
The Second Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda, Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa delivered Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s Christmas message to the congregants.
In his message, Kabaka Mutebi asked Christians to pray for total peace noting that selfishness, greed, corruption, lack of respect for rule of law, human rights abuses, and others are some of the things affecting the country’s stability.
Mutebi also encouraged leaders and politicians to ensure that different services reach ordinary Ugandans to facilitate the eradication of poverty, diseases, and ignorance.
Christians observe Christmas as a holy day marking the Birth of Jesus Christ, reflecting on their faith, helping the needy, and reuniting with their families among others practices.
