Madi and West Nile Diocese @50: A time to thank God for His blessings

What you need to know:

  • Conservation effort. As a result of the tireless efforts of Bishop Andaku and the diocese, over 22,000 trees of different species have been planted in two years by candidates for confirmation, members of Fathers Union, Mothers Union and Christian Women Fellowship.

On November 29, celebrations to mark the golden jubilee of Madi and West Nile Diocese of the Church of Uganda were launched at Arua Municipality by Bishop Charles Collins Andaku.

According to the Chairman of the Central Organizing Committee, Can Elly Nayenda, the purpose of the celebrations is to thank God for 50 years the Lord has guided Christians of the diocese, reflect on the mission and vision of the Church and celebrate as a family united in Christ.

The theme of the celebrations, which will peak on Sunday, December 29, is taken from the book of Leviticus 25: 9-15: “Stop and review everything, consider the goodness of the Lord and return to His ideals, will and purposes.”

Madi and West Nile Diocese was carved out of Northern Uganda Diocese in 1969 and the first bishop of the new diocese was Silvano Wani, who was consecrated at Namirembe Cathedral on June 7, 1964. Wani served as Assistant to Bishop Keith Russell of Northern Uganda Diocese from 1964-1969.

In 1960, Bishop Russell confirmed me as a Christian at St John Anglican Church, Akua, Terego County. I met Bishop Russell again in Gulu when he was Chairman of the Board of Governors of Sir Samuel Baker School where I did my O-Levels from 1961-1964.
When the diocese was created, what is today called West Nile region consisted of two districts, Madi District with Moyo as headquarters and West Nile District with Arua as headquarters.

West Nile of today is a geopolitical concept, consisting of 11 districts, none of which bears the name Madi or West Nile. In line with this objective reality, I would like to propose, for consideration by the Diocesan Synod, that the name of the diocese be changed to “West Nile Diocese.”
I am advised that it is the largest diocese in the Church of Uganda consisting of 12 archdeaconries, 138 Parishes and about 700 churches.

In 1993, Nebbi Diocese was carved out of Madi and West Nile Diocese and the first bishop was Henry Luke Orombi.
After he was elected 4th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda in 1977, Bishop Wani was succeeded by Remelia Ringtho, who served as Bishop for ten years, from 1977-1987, he retired peacefully and was replaced by Bishop Ephraim Adrale who served for two years from 1988-1990 when he passed on due to illness.

Bishop Adrale was replaced by Bishop Ariaka Mawa Nguma, who served from 1990-1994 and passed on in a motor accident while travelling from Arua to Kampala to attend a meeting of the House of Bishops at which Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo was elected. It was a difficult time for the diocese.

Dr Enock Drati succeeded Bishop Nguma and served from 1995-2005. On November 27, 2005, Rt Rev Dr Joel Samson Obetia was consecrated sixth Bishop of the diocese at Emmanuel Cathedral, Mvara.
He retired in 2017 and was succeeded by the incumbent, Bishop Charles Collins Andaku, who was enthroned on February 26, 2017.

The centenary of the Anglican Church in West Nile was celebrated in 2018.
In 2017, Bishop Andaku launched a Diocesan Tree Planting Strategy to address the challenges and problems of climate change and environmental degradation. The objective and goal of the strategy is to conserve the environment, make West Nile green again and ensure that the diocese is tree friendly.

The diocese has declared the third Sunday of March, every year, as “Tree Sunday.” On that day, Christians at all churches and chapels in the diocese are taught the importance of conserving the environment, planting trees and dangers of environmental degradation. The diocese encourages Christians to plant trees.

As a result of the tireless efforts of Bishop Andaku and the diocese, over 22,000 trees of different species have been planted in two years by candidates for confirmation, members of Fathers Union, Mothers Union and Christian Women Fellowship.
Scientific research has shown that tree planting is one of the most effective and cheapest means of addressing the challenges of climate change.

The foundation stone for a new diocesan office building will be laid at Mvara during the jubilee celebrations. Much remains to be done; in this regard, support from friends and people of goodwill is welcome. Thanks be to God for bringing us thus far.

Mr Acemah is a political scientist and retired career diplomat.
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