SDA church sets up new diocese

Bishop Bernard Bampata during one of the sermons. File Photo

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Religion. Homosexuality, corruption take centre stage with the church and government pledging to fight the vices.

The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church on Sunday unveiled its sixth diocese, South Western Uganda Diocese, and installed Mr Bernard Kakuru Bampata as the new bishop.

Hundreds of believers from the 14 districts of the south western region thronged Kakiika SDA Church in Mbarara, the diocese headquarters, to witness the ceremony.

Homosexuality and corruption took a centre stage at the function, with both local and regional SDA leaders promising to challenge the vices.
The SDA president for East Central Africa, Pastor Blasious Ruguri, advised Uganda not to bow to foreign pressure and allow “forces of evil” to take over the country.

“As the SDA, we stand by you (Ugandans) in solidarity against homosexuality even when some countries are threatening to cut aid to you,’’ Mr Ruguri said.

Bishop Bampata, 50, said the SDA Church would partner with the government in staging campaigns to fight corruption, which he said is a cancer.
The State Minister in-charge of Luweero Triangle, Ms Rose Namayanja, represented President Museveni at the function.

Ms Namayanja commended the SDA for its role in social transformation of the country, especially in health and education.

“The government will wipe out corruption through measures like confiscating property of those found guilty,” she said.
She said the government would not support homosexuality even if it donor countries withdrew aid.
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