Emeritus Rt. Rev Dr. George Tibesigwa the former bishop of Ankole Diocese has died at the age of 78.
His death was announced by the Dean of Ankole Diocese Ven Bob’s Mwesigye.
“We have received the sad news of the passing of our Emeritus Bishop, however, we await the Bishop Associate Professor Bishop Sheldon Mweigwa to officially communicate the details and the program,” he said.
Dr. George Tibesigwa died on Wednesday afternoon while undergoing treatment at Mayanja Memorial Hospital where he had been admitted from the beginning of this week. He had been diagnosed with dementia.
Tibesigwa served as the 4th bishop of the Ankole Diocese from 2007 until July 2010. He succeeded retired Bishop Elisha Kyamugambi.
At the time of his election, Dr. George Tibesigwa was serving as the Principal of Barham University College in Kabale.
Dr. George Tibesigwa was the first principal to be appointed to Bishop Barhum University, a Kabale-based constituent college of Uganda Christian University.
His election came to some as a surprise after the House of Bishops had rejected Dr. Rev Wilberforce Kamukama and his brother Reverend Dr. Grace Karamura then nominated to replace Elisha Kyamugambi who was about to retire.
He took over after Bishop William Magambo was appointed the caretaker by the Most Reverend Henry Luke Orombi, the then Archbishop of Uganda
Dr. George Tibesigwa was consecrated in Mbarara on 2nd September 2007, together with the Reverend. John A.M. Guernsey, an American priest then canonically resident in North Kigezi Diocese.
He was among the eminent clergy and individuals who tremendously contributed to the transformation of Uganda Christian University. Others in that category include Rev. Can. Yokania Bitashoborokire Rt. Late Rev. Dr. Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, Rt. Rev. Dr. Elisha Kyamugambi Late Prof. Enoka Rukare, Rt. Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, Late Prof. Emmanuel Mutebire, Hon. Justice Bart Katureebe, Prof. Jossy Rwakishana Bibangamba and Rev. Can. Gershom Kamondo among others.
Dr. Tibesigwa has been the Coordinator of the North Ankole Diocese University Project.
He served as a Consultant on planning, development, management, leadership and Administration at Uganda Christian University.
He was the Advisor on Community Welfare and development issues.
He was also the Chairman Board of a an Acess to medicine and health rights lobby-HEPS Uganda, Eliphaz Laki Memorial Foundation; East Africa TEE and COU Provincial Building Committee.
He holds a Doctorate of Ministry from Asian Centre for Theological Studies and Mission/United University of ASIA, Master of Divinity University College of Emmanuel and St. Chad.
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Sackatchewan Canada, Bachelor of Theology from the University College of Emmanuel and St. Chad.
