Godfrey Mbitse has been consecrated as the third Bishop of the Muhabura Diocese.
The Most Reverend Dr. Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, consecrated him on Sunday at St. Andrews Cathedral Seseme in Kisoro district.
The House of Bishops elected Mbitse on February 25, 2023.
He succeeds Cranmer Mugisha, who sought early retirement in 2021.
In 2024, Bishop Mugisha was expected to retire.
During his sermon, the Bishop of Kinkiizi Diocese, Dan Zoreka, encouraged Mbitse not to inflame tensions between Christians and clergy in the diocese.
Zoreka further demanded that politicians cease influencing Mbitse for their own egotistical purposes, noting that the responsibility of religious leaders is to serve all people regardless of their political allegiance.
Zoreka also requested that Mbitse preach the gospel and educate shepherds on eradicating poverty, protecting the environment, and ensuring food security.
Zoreka also urged Mbitse to join the fight against homosexuality, calling it as a violation of God’s word and a deliberate effort to destroy the natural culture.
When Mugisha announced his early retirement, some Christians led by Philemon Mateke, the former Minister of State for Regional Affairs and a member of the diocesan synod, accused Bishop Mugisha of promoting nepotism, hatred, and division among Christians by rushing to retire before the end of his tenure due to failing Church projects.
Innocent Ndajimana and Solomon Rugera Kaana, inhabitants of Murambi and Chahi villages, respectively, in the Kisoro area, petitioned the High Court in November 2021 for a permanent order to halt the succession selection process for Bishop Mugisha.
They filed a joint lawsuit against the Ugandan Church, Bishop Mugisha, and the Archbishop of Uganda.
In their civil claim, they contend that since Mugisha’s episcopal consecration in August 2007, he has never bothered to establish a diocesan constitution as required by Article 4 of the Church of Uganda provincial constitution.
The court granted them an injunction, but the two Christians later agreed to withdraw the petition and reach a deal outside of court.
Through mediation, the diocese admitted defeat and consented to a new succession process.
Archbishop Kaziimba urged Christians in the Diocese of Muhabura not to fight or petition the court over Bishop Mugisha’s succession, stating that it is God’s role to oversee the transition.
Succession issues are not new in Muhabura Diocese. In 2007, the diocese was embroiled in contention as a result of the rejection of Canon David Sebuhinja, who had been elected to succeed Bishop Ernest Shalita.
After a lengthy discussion, Sebuhinja was consecrated as the bishop of Mbale and given an additional mission beyond the Muhabura Diocese.
Moreover, Christians planted needles throughout the cathedral of the late Bishop Shaliti. Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo was unable to enter the cathedral when he traveled to Muhabura to mediate the conflicts.
Canon Mbitse began his church service in the Diocese of Muhabura as a youth leader and Church Teacher. Since 1998, he has worked as a parish priest, and since 2009, he has been an archdeacon. He has also served as the Diocesan Mission Coordinator and Diocesan Clergy Head since 2015.
In the Muhabura Diocese, Mbitse was ordained as a deacon in 1998 and a priest in 1999.
The Bishop-elect is 59 years old and holds a Bachelor of Divinity and Diploma in Theology from Bishop Barham University College of Uganda Christian University.
