By Emmanuel Olinga
NEBBI
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Constantine Rupiny was on Saturday, 22nd February, 2025 consecrated and enthroned as the 5th Bishop of the Nebbi Catholic Diocese.
Rupiny, a distinguished theologian and pastor, has been consecrated and enthroned by the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, the Most Rev. Raphael P’Mony Wokorach at a colorful event held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral in Nebbi district, February 22, 2025.
Nebbi Diocese became vacant on March 22, 2024, following the appointment of His Grace Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, as the Metropolitan archbishop of Gulu in March 2021. Wokorach had served as the ordinary of Nebbi for nearly three years.
The Vice President and Woman MP for Katakwi district Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo represented HE President Yoweri Museveni during the ceremony. In his message, Museveni congratulated Bishop Rupiny upon celebrating this milestone of spiritual leadership in Nebbi.
President Museveni thanked the Holy Father Pope Francis upon his decision to elevate Bp. Rupiny to this position.
He asked the bishop to preach the gospel of love, unity and hard work to advance development amongst the people. “Let’s join hands to fight poverty among our people who are still outside the money economy through the livelihood programs of the government which have been designed to address household income”.
“This gospel of hard work to community leaders at all levels must continue symbiotically in all government ministries, departments, and agents until everyone is brought into the money economy”. He said.
The President recognized the role of the church in shaping the morals of society as well as being partners with the government in development.
Religious institutions have supplemented government efforts in raising people’s living standards through church founded projects and faith based education and health institutions.
Museveni assured the faithful that the government will continue to work for maintenance of peace and security in the whole of Uganda for the development of the people of God.
He finally called upon the people of Nebbi Diocese to receive and support the new Bishop wholeheartedly. On behalf of president Museveni, the Vice president handed over the latest brand-new Toyota Model 2024, to the new Bishop for his official work.
The President appreciated the efforts of Bishop Raphael Wororach P’mony, the outgoing Bishop for all his efforts in service of humanity and church. He hailed archbishop Wokorach for overseeing the spiritual and physical growth of the church and always mobilizing people for development causes and mission.
In his homily, His Grace Wokorach preached against divisive, manipulative politics which cannot bring development to the people. He advised the new bishop to be steadfast and not be afraid. He asked the bishop to encourage the people to move out of poverty because it’s still deeply rooted in communities.
Born of November 10, 1974, in Parombo, Nebbi Diocese, Bp Rupiny pursued his priestly formation at Uganda martyrs national Major seminary in Alokolum (1996-1999) and St. Martyr’s National Major Seminary in Ggaba (2000-2004).
After his ordination on august 28th, 2004, he served as the parish Vicar of Kango from 2004 to 2005. In 2005, he became the first African Parish priest of St Daniel Comboni Parishin Akanyo, a role he held until 2007.
Bp. Rupiny expanded his academic credentials by earning a licentiate in philosophy from the pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome (2009- 2011) and later a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from the cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw Poland (2018-2022). His research, including work on Alur customary marriage about the catholic sacrament of marriage, highlights his dedication to integrating theology with cultural context.
His roles within the church included formator and professor at Uganda Martyrs National Major Seminary Alokolum, Vice president of the priest council of Nebbi (2017-2018), Vice- rector of the seminary (January-September 2023), and most recently rector of the same institution since September 2023.
In July, archbishop Wokorach was named the apostolic administrator of the diocese, a role he continues to hold to this date. In addition to archbishop Wokorach, Nebbi’s past bishops include Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok (2011-2018), Rt. Rev. Martin Luluga (1988-2011) and the diocese’s first bishop Rt. Rev. John Baptist Odama who now serves as the archbishop of Gulu.
Established 28 years ago, Nebbi Diocese grew from the Gulu apostolic Vicariate which dates back to 1923. Its history is rooted in the efforts of comboni missionaries, catechists and local leaders who nurtured the faith among the Alur community.
