Rev Canon Gaster Nsereko elected 7th Bishop of West Buganda
Rev Gaster Nsereko, the Archdeacon of Kakoma Archdeaconry in Rakai District is the new bishop of West Buganda Diocese. Photo | File
What you need to know:
- Rev Canon Nsereko’s consecration and enthronement will take place on March 30, 2025 at St. Paul's Cathedral - Kako, the seat of West Buganda Diocese in Masaka City
The House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda on Sunday, February 16, 2025 elected Rev. Canon Gaster Nsereko as the 7th Bishop of West Buganda Diocese.
The election took place at Acaki Hotel in Kitgum Diocese where the House of Bishops had a special sitting moments after marking the 48th commemoration of St. Janani Luwum Day.
Rev Canon Nsereko,59, was in the race together with Rev Canon Patrick Ssimbwa, the archdeacon of Sembabule Archdeaconry in Sembabule District.
In a statement, Rev Canon William Ongeng, the Church of Uganda provincial secretary, said Rev Canon Nsereko’s consecration and enthronement will take place on March 30,2025 at St. Paul's Cathedral-Kako, the seat of West Buganda Diocese in Masaka City.
According to the Church of Uganda Constitution, Rev Nsereko will serve for only six years since the mandatory retirement age for Bishops is 65 years.
The selection process to get the new bishop for West Buganda Diocese has been marred by controversies, with a section of faithful reportedly demanding for a native bishop to replace outgoing Bishop Henry Katumba Tamale.
All the six bishops that have superintended the 64-year-old diocese have been sourced from other dioceses. There have been reports that Bishop Tamale was backing one of the contenders against the wish of a section of influential Anglican Christians in the diocese –a claim the prelate has repeatedly denied.
The Monitor has exclusively learnt that influential Anglican Christians were backing Rev. Ssimbwa.
Bishop Tamale has however been heard on several occasions saying a bishop can come from any part of the country or even abroad provided he has the qualities and qualifications needed.
At least eight candidates were scrutinized by the nominations committee before 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.
For one to become a bishop, a candidate must meet specific credentials, including having unrivaled integrity, being at least 45 years old, an ordained priest with 10 years of pastoral experience, and holding a bachelor's degree in Theology or Divinity.
About the diocese
West Buganda Diocese has since its inception in 1960 been governed by six bishops native Ugandan prelates including Festo Lutaaya, Stephen Tomusange, Christopher Ssenyonjo, Samuel Keefa Kamya Ssemakula, Godfrey Makumbi and the outgoing Henry Katumba Tamale, but none of them is a born of the diocese.
West Buganda Diocese which is headquartered at Kako in Masaka City covers eight districts including; Masaka, Rakai, Kyotera, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Sembabule, Lyantonde and Lwengo .
Who is Rev Nsereko?
Rev. Nsereko was born on July ,1965 in Bbira Naakuwadde in Wakiso District.
He was born again on May 30, 1993 at Namukozi in Mityana Diocese. He was ordained a Deacon on 9th December 1989 at St Andrew's Cathedral Namukozi Mityana Diocese and priested on 10th December 1990 at the same Cathedral. He was made a Canon on January 17, 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, a Diploma in Primary Education from Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo among other academic qualifications.
He is currently the Archdeacon of Kakoma Archdeaconry and Vicar of St John's Kakoma Church of Uganda in West Buganda Diocese. He previously served as Provost of St Paul's Cathedral Kako, Subdean, and Archdeacon of Masaka Archdeaconry among other ministerial appointments.
