Godfrey Loum elected new bishop of Northern Uganda

Rev Godfrey Loum has been elected the 8th bishop of the Diocese of Northern Uganda.

He was elected yesterday by the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda sitting at Lweza Training and Conference Centre, Entebbe. 

Rev Loum will be consecrated and enthroned on November 21 at St Philip’s Cathedral, Gulu. He succeeds the Rev Johnson Gakumba, who has been bishop of the diocese since 2009. Bishop Gakumba sought early retirement at the age of 62.

The 49-year-old bishop-elect was born in Gulu District and holds a Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology from Uganda Christian University and a Master of Arts in Development Studies from Cavendish University. 

In 2004, he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Divinity from Uganda Christian University.
Rev Loum is also the author of “A Quick Guide to Premarital Counselling for Pastors and Couples”.

According to the Church, Rev Loum’s story is a testimony of restoration given his history of living as an alcohol addict. This was after failing to join tertiary education  earlier in his life before he reformed in 1998. 

Start of ministry 
Rev Loum started his ministry in 2007 as a deacon, rising through the church ranks to become the Vicar of Christ Church in Gulu Town.

He has been certified in trauma and HIV/Aids counselling, and promoted ecumenical unity through Uganda Joint Christian Council  and the Bible Society Acholi Branch. Since 2012, he has served as the chairperson of the House of Clergy. 

His life mission is to be “fully equipped to preach the Word of God in season and out of season; to reprove, rebuke and exhort with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:2) He is married to Ms Ida Loum, and has  three children.

The Diocese of Northern Uganda attained its status in 1961 when it was carved out of the Diocese of Upper Nile.