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South Rwenzori Diocese

History

The Diocese was carved off from Rwenzori Diocese on 26th August, 1984, with the Rt. Rev. Zebedee Kahangwa Masereka as the first Bishop. At that time, there were only 26 parishes and 33 priests. Now there are 38 parishes and 85 priests. The current Bishop is the Rt. Rev. Jackson Nzerebende.

The people's demand for a new diocese was based on their desire to:

Bring Church services nearer to the communities of Kasese District,
Develop church liturgy in Lhukonzo (the main language of the people in Kasese), and
Create opportunity for the Bakonzo people to develop their own identity as one of the tribes of Uganda, as a way of minimizing the effects of the longstanding hostilities between Batooro and Bakonzo since the 1930's.

The Diocese has the highest fertility/population growth rate in Uganda, at 3.2%

95% are peasants. They survive on subsistence farming. The main crops are cassava, bananas, Irish potatoes, beans, g-nuts, fruits and vegetables for food. Cash crops include coffee, cotton and vanilla was introduced over five years ago (in the 1990's).

The Diocese has over 150,000 professing Christians who are now confirmed into the Anglican faith. The District has a population of more than 700,000 people.

The Diocese of South Rwenzori started out with only two Archdeaconries and with only 10 parishes and has steadily grown. In 1984 there were only 5 qualified clergy with diplomas but now we can talk of 15, with 6 clergy at degree and masters level. The diocese has six archdeaconries, 38 parishes and 368 churches; each local congregation is lead by a trained Lay leader from either Kisinga Divinity College, which is owned by South Rwenzori Diocese, or elsewhere in Uganda.

Tourism sites include Queen Elizabeth National Park, full of elephants, buffalo, hippos, lions and more than 600 species of birds. You can see gorillas in Bwindi, in our neighboring Diocese of Kabale. There are also several lakes and rivers in which to swim and boat.

The Diocese is largely rural, with electricity in towns. Transportation is by cars and buses. The climate is usually between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit the year around. There are lots of fresh fruits, fish, bananas, cereals, potatoes, beans, assorted greens, meats and breads to eat while visiting our country.

Mission and Evangelism

Preaching the Gospel in churches, schools, markets, health centers and homes is done by both ordained and lay Evangelists. There are regular weekly fellowships, holiday conferences, retreats, outreach, missions and many more opportunities to share the Gospel. Church groups include the Mothers' Union, Fathers' Union, Boys and Girls Brigade, Sunday School, Church choir, Clergy and Lay Readers.

We celebrate the Eucharist in English as well as our native tribal language - Lhukonzo.

Health Care Ministry

There are 13 churches that have founded health centres. Kagando, Rwengaride and St. Paul's Health Centre are the major ones. Kagando Hospital has 250 beds that can treat patients. Busy units at the hospital include wards for men, women, children, leprosy, eye clinic, dental, surgical theatre, x-ray services, fluids production unit, laboratory and a comprehensive nursing school.

Skills are needed on both a short- and long-term basis: surgeons, doctors, nurses, clinical psychiatrists, medical tutors, electricians, health educators, skills in water engineering, preachers, counselors and related equipment.

Training

Livelihood skills are offered to the youth in areas of agriculture, carpentry, brick making, counseling, cookery, tailoring, computers, crafts, needle work, music and dance, drama, and journalism. Any relevant skills and equipment are welcome.

Areas of Need

Primary and secondary schools
Microfinance for savings and loans
Radio ministry
Prison ministry
Communications, filming, newsletter design and writing
Design of Christmas cards
Policy formation
Agriculture
Bookshop business management
Electronics technology and engineering
Builders (house construction)
Counselors in areas of conflict resolution
Statisticians to train information management and record keeping
Music
Building shallow water wells
Church flower arrangement
Church decoration

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25)

"I find You, Lord, in all things and in all creatures, pulsing with Your life; as a tiny seed You sleep in all that is small, and in the vast You vastly show yourself."

" Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthews 28:19-20)