Pupils of Kakoma CoU Primary School celebrate with Rev Canon Gaster Nsereko (right) following his election as the West Buganda Diocese Bishop yesterday. PHOTO/AMBROSE MUSASIZI
In a surprising turn of events, Rev Canon Gaster Nsereko was on Sunday evening elected the seventh Bishop of West Buganda Diocese. The Church of Uganda House of Bishops, meeting at Acaki Hotel in Kitgum District following the St Janani Luwum Day commemoration, made the selection. The House of Bishops, comprised of diocesan and assistant bishops from the 39 provincial dioceses, conducted the election, presided over by the provincial chancellor.
Rev Canon Nsereko’s election was unexpected, as many believed Rev Canon Patrick Ssimbwa, the archdeacon of Sembabule Archdeaconry, was the frontrunner. Sources at the diocesan headquarters in Kako, Masaka City, suggest that Canon Ssimbwa was favoured by influential Anglicans who had been advocating for a bishop hailing from the area.
Notably, Rev Canon Nsereko, 59, is not from the diocese, a tradition that has been held for all six previous bishops, including the outgoing Bishop Henry Katumba Tamale. In an interview, Rev Canon Nsereko expressed his surprise at the election. “I have never dreamt of becoming a bishop; it was indeed God’s plan, and I thank Him for this elevation in his ministry, and I am ready to serve,” he said.
He acknowledged the challenges ahead, including meeting the expectations of Christians and fostering unity. “I very well know that such responsibility comes with challenges, but with the support of Christians and other well-wishers, I am sure I will overcome all the obstacles,” he stated. Rev Canon Nsereko’s consecration and enthronement are scheduled for March 30 at St. Paul’s Cathedral-Kako, Masaka City, according to Rev Canon William Ongeng, the Church of Uganda provincial secretary.
Rev Canon Ssimbwa congratulated the Bishop-elect and pledged his support. “I see some people seem to have lost hope, but if we have faith, we should know that the way God sees things is not the same way we (humans) see.
We believe that everyone has their turn… We should, however, accept that God has given us Canon Nsereko,” he shared in a WhatsApp group for Christians in the diocese. He urged his supporters to rally behind Rev Canon Nsereko and assured them that he would not sabotage the installation. Mr Moses Ssebuliba, the head of the laity in West Buganda Diocese, called for unity and prayer, asking for wisdom, strength, and guidance for the Bishop-elect.
He also encouraged support for the consecration arrangements and farewell to the outgoing bishop. Due to the mandatory retirement age of 65 for bishops, Rev Canon Nsereko will serve for six years, according to the Church of Uganda Constitution. The selection process was marked by controversy, with some demanding a native bishop and reports of Bishop Tamale’s alleged support for a candidate, which he has denied.
Bishop Tamale emphasised that God chooses leaders through established structures. Eight candidates were initially considered before the final two nominees were selected.
Others were Rev Canon Moses Kayimba, the diocesan secretary; Rev Samuel Matovu Mbogo, the head teacher of Sembabule Church of Uganda Secondary School; Rev Can Fred Matovu, the diocesan treasurer; Rev Festo Kalungi, the current parish priest of Kira Parish in Namirembe Diocese; Rev Benon Tubasoboka, a priest in Mityana Diocese, and Rev Fred Nuwagaba, a primary school head teacher in Lyantonde District. Bishop candidates must meet specific criteria, including integrity, being at least 45 years old, having 10 years of pastoral experience as an ordained priest, and holding a bachelor’s degree in Theology or Divinity.
Since its inception in 1960, West Buganda Diocese has been led by six bishops, none of whom were natives of the diocese. The diocese encompasses eight districts; Masaka, Rakai, Kyotera, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Sembabule, Lyantonde, and Lwengo.
ABOUT REV NSEREKO
Born on July 1965 in Bbira Naakuwadde, Wakiso District, Rev Canon Nsereko was born again on May 30, 1993. He was ordained a deacon in 1989 and a priest in 1990 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral Namukozi, Mityana Diocese. He became a Canon in 2010 at St. Paul’s Cathedral Kako, West Buganda. He is married to Sarah Nsereko and they have three children. He holds a Bachelor of Divinity from Uganda Christian University and a Diploma in Primary Education from the Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo, among other qualifications. Currently the Archdeacon of Kakoma Archdeaconry in Rakai District and Vicar of St. John’s Kakoma Church of Uganda, he has previously served as Provost of St. Paul’s Cathedral Kako, Subdean, and Archdeacon of Masaka Archdeaconry.
