New bishop pledges protection to church land

WEST NILE.

The newly consecrated Bishop of Madi and West Nile Diocese, Rt Rev Collins Andaku, has pledged to protect church land from encroachers.

Speaking during his consecration as the seventh bishop of the diocese, Andaku said: “Our church land has been encroached upon resulting into conflicts with neighbouring communities and individuals. We will secure it through promoting land registration and open dialogue with communities that have claim on church land.”
Recently, efforts to tarmac the road leading to Mvara Cathedral, as per President Museveni’s pledge, were blocked by Koboko District speaker George Ambe. Both the speaker and the church claim the land belongs to them. Land in Ewava Primary School owned by the church has also been encroached upon and the case is still in court. Bishop Andaku said during his reign, he will use church land for investment to generate money for the diocese.

The bishop promised to have an audit department that will ensure transparency in managing church resources. Bishop Johnson Gakumba of northern Uganda Diocese urged for reconciliation in the church and support for South Sudan refugees. He asked Bishop Andaku to care for those suffering from mental illnesses because they need healing.

During the consecration, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda encouraged the new bishop to continue supporting the South Sudan refugees. “It is important the church here has undertaken various projects to support wealth creation. Let us all support such programmes,” Dr Rugunda said.

Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali announced that the church will distribute more than 500 tonnes of beans and posho (maize flour) to South Sudan refugees at Rhino Camp in Arua District next week.

“We have raised Shs800m to buy food for the refugees and we encourage everyone to support these people, especially the suffering women and children across West Nile,” he said.