Rev. Can. Kugonza Joshua elected 3rd bishop of Masindi Kitara diocese

31 March 2025, 10:39 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Following the expiration of Bishop Henry Katumba Tamale’s tenure as the 6th Bishop of West Buganda Diocese, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace Steven Kazimba Mugalu Mboowa, consecrated and enthroned Rt. Rev. Gaster Nsereko as the 7th Bishop of the Diocese yesterday at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kako, Masaka City. In his sermon, the Archbishop reminded the newly enthroned Bishop to faithfully carry out God’s work and congratulated the 6th Bishop for serving God wholeheartedly despite the challenges faced by all servants of God.

Bishop Henry Tamale thanked God for enabling them to serve His people and expressed his joy that the transition had been peaceful. The newly enthroned Bishop thanked the House of Bishops and God for electing him to serve His people. He promised to continue preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, building and promoting the existing ministries, and preserving and protecting Church land, among other commitments.

President Museveni was represented by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Canon Ruth Nankabirwa, who was the chief guest. In his message to the people of West Buganda Diocese, he encouraged them to participate in government programmes to combat poverty. He also congratulated Bishop Nsereko and gifted him a brand new car. The event was attended by various dignitaries from the central government and Buganda Kingdom, who congratulated the enthroned Bishop and pledged to continue collaborating with the Diocese. The believers also promised to support their new Bishop.

Meanwhile, the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda, sitting at Zebra Hotel in Masaka City, announced yesterday that Rev. Canon Kugonza Joshua had been elected as the 3rd Bishop of Masindi Kitara Diocese. He will be consecrated and enthroned on 3rd August 2025 at St. Matthews Cathedral, Masindi, to begin his new journey in service. It is worth noting that Rev. Canon Kugonza Joshua was born on 7th October 1976 in Kiryandongo district.

He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour on 13th September 1989 at Alwala Church of Uganda in Apac District, West Lango Diocese. He was ordained Deacon on 3rd January 2010 and Priested on 14th December 2010 at St. Matthews Cathedral, Masindi. He is currently a Canon at St. Matthews Cathedral, Masindi. Rev. Canon Kugonza is married to Mrs. Proscovia Allen Kugonza, and God has blessed them with four beautiful children. He is presently the Diocesan Secretary of Masindi Kitara Diocese, a position he has held since 2021. He has previously served as a Parish Priest, Project Officer with Samaritan’s Purse, Headteacher, and teacher at Kigumba Intensive Primary School.

Rev. Canon Kugonza holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity from Uganda Christian University, a Diploma in Education from National Teachers College, Ngetta in Lira District, and several other professional qualifications. He is known as a faithful servant of God, which may be one of the reasons why God, through the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda, found him fit for this important role.