By George Emuron
TESO
The Archbishop of Church of Uganda, His Grace Rev. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu has visited Teso and launched the retrieving of all the grabbed churches and their properties by the Reformed Anglican church members.
Last year, the leadership of Kumi diocese descended into factions because of the position of bishop.
This brought conflict between Rev. Charles Okunya Oode who was installed as the Kumi bishop for upper Nile dioceses under the Reformed Anglican Church. The Upper Nile Diocese comprises Acholi, Bukedi, Lango, and Teso sub-regions.
While Rev. Michael Okwii Esakan was elected as the 2nd, Bishop of Kumi diocese replacing Okunya who was dropped.
These divisions brought commotions whereby most Church of Uganda churches and properties were grabbed by the Reformed Anglican church.
On 8th, March, 2024 the archbishop Mugalu reached Teso and visited most churches in Kumi that were grabbed by the Reformed Anglican church but unfortunately not all were retrieved.
“My visit to Teso is to retrieve Church of Uganda churches and their properties that have been grabbed by our fellow Christians called Reformed Anglican Church,” said Rev. Mugalu.
Rev. Mugalu also spent an hour stranded after the St. James Reformed Anglican church members in Atutur Sub County in Kumi district refused to hand over the church keys in the presence of security claiming that the church building belongs to them.
“My coming to Teso is to spread the gospel of peace, our brothers and sisters have decided to break away. Why do they again want to own our church buildings and properties,” said Rev. Mugalu.
Mr. Ahamada Washaki, the Resident District Commissioner Kumi said as security they have tried to retrieve the church of Uganda property through community engagements but nothing has been done.
“We urged the government to intervene on this matter, some of us have been threatened by top ranked personnel, and we have been writing letters informing our supervisors on what’s on ground. I am happy the archbishop has seen it by himself,” said Washaki.
However, Bishop Michael Okwii Esakan, the Kumi dioceses bishop told this publication that the involvement of Reformed Anglican Church on their property has left Christians in church divided.
Bishop Esakan therefore urged Christian’s to remain firm in the religious faith.
