Sheema cannot secede from diocese - Katoneene

Some of the faithful from Sheema District march to Kabwohe Town after resolving
to secede from West Ankole Diocese. PHOTO BY RAJAB MUKOMBOZI

What you need to know:

Faulted. The leaders accuse Bishop Katoneene of crippling development in West Ankole Diocese.

Bushenyi. West Ankole Diocese Bishop Yona Katoneene has said the move by a section of Christians to secede from the diocese will not be possible because it is hinged on ignorance of some politicians trying to bring disorder and incite the faithful.
Addressing a press conference in Bushenyi District on Sunday, Bishop Katoneene said: “As the custodian of faith and order in this diocese, I cannot allow the so-called resolutions by a gathering at Kabwohe to go unchallenged; They are dangerous and poisonous to the flock.”
Christians from Sheema last weekend resolved to secede from West Ankole to form Central Ankole diocese, accusing the former of crippling development in the district such as the university project at Kabwohe-Ankole Western Institute of Science and Technology (AWIST).
The meeting was attended by ministers Ephraim Kamuntu of Water and Dr Elioda Tumwesigye of Health, among other leaders.
The Bushenyi LC5 chairperson, Mr Yowasi Makaru, who chaired the meeting, said the decision cannot be reversed.
“The evil plans to destroy AWIST project and other development projects started long time ago but have of recent come to unbearable levels, therefore we cannot remain a part of a diocese with plans to cripple development in our area,” he said.
Dr Tumwesigye said : “If the university and other developments are to take root and come to order in Sheema, it cannot happen without a bishop. West Ankole has shown deliberate plans to frustrate and bring us down, we cannot do any development without a diocese.”

Resolutions
Sheema leaders came up with a number of resolutions to guide them in pursuing their projects, including withdrawing their members from the 9th synod of West Ankole Diocese, agreeing that Bishop Yona Katoneene is no longer overseer of the district and an interim council be set up to oversee AWIST project.