Kitgum gets new bishop

Thousands of Christians on Sunday congregated at All Saints Cathedral in Kitgum District to witness the consecration of Rev Wilson Kitara as the new bishop of Kitgum Diocese.

The diocese has not had an overseer for the last three years after Bishop Benjamin Ojwang was forced to retire in 2015.
Bishop Charles Odur Kami has been taking care of the diocesean affairs.

Archbishop of Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali, who presided over the consecration, urged the congregation to support Bishop Kitara to ensure good stewardship.

In his speech, Bishop Kitara pledged commitment towards developing the diocese and addressing its challenges. The diocese covers Kitgum, Pader, Agago and Lamwo districts.
“I pledge to ensure reconciliation and upholding the principles of loving one another and forgiveness,” he said.

Bishop Kitara becomes the third head of the diocese after bishops Ojwang and McLeod Baker Ochola, who retired in 2002.

In his speech read by the Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, President Museveni gave Shs30 million and a vehicle to the new bishop.

Mr Museveni asked Bishop Kitara to nurture Christians in spiritual upbringing and advise parents on the benefits of education, saying it is a major pillar in the growth of a nation.

Mr Museveni also lauded Bishop Ochola and Bishop Ojwang for upholding the spiritual well-being and developing the people at a time when there was war in the region.
“You played a very big role in promoting peace among the people through your pastoral work,” he said.

WHO IS BISHOP KITARA?
Bishop Kitara was born on January 5, 1971. He went to Okinga P7 School in Pader District before joining Sir Samuel Baker School in Gulu District and Kitgum High School for his secondary education. Bishop Kitara then joined Bishop Tucker Theological College, Mukono to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Divinity and later attained a post-graduate diploma in Education from Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono. He also has a diploma in human resource from the Uganda Management Institute, a certificate in Law at Makerere University and a Masters of Arts in Theology and Health Care management from UCU.

After attaining a Bachelors of Divinity, he was ordained a reverend deacon on February 16, 1999 at St Janani Luwum Church, Padibe Lamwo Archdeaconry, and became a priest on February 18, 2001 at Christ Church Liar Paleo Church of Uganda in Agago deaconry.

At the time of his election, he was the substantive head teacher of Rev Jabuloni Issoke Memorial College in Kitgum. He is married to Ms Ketty Auma Kitara, a teacher, with whom they have three daughters.