UGANDA: Bishop Zziwa elected as new Chairman of Uganda Episcopal Conference
The Catholic Bishops in Uganda have voted in new office bearers for the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC) and various Commissions and Departments. Rt. Rev. Joseph Antony Zziwa, the Bishop of Kiyinda Mityana Diocese is the new Chairman of UEC for the next four years.
Bishop Zziwa was elected Chairman by the Bishops on November 11, 2018, during their Plenary Assembly that was held at St. Augustine Institute in Nsambya, Kampala. He replaces Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, the Archbishop of Gulu, who served two terms of four years. The prelate was also recently elected as Chairman of the Staffing Committee of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA).
In addition to electing a new Chairman at its Plenary Meeting, the Bishops elected Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa as Vice Chairman and other members to its Executive Committee for a four-year term. His Eminence Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala remains the Patron while Archbishop Odama, Most Rev. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Archbishop of Kampala, Most Rev. Paul K. Bakyenga, Archbishop of Mbarara, Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo, Archbishop of Tororo and Rt. Rev. Calistus Rubaramira, the Bishop of Kabale Diocese were elected as members respectively. Bishop Muhiirwa succeeds Bishop Zziwa who served in the same capacity for the last eight years.
While thanking the UEC employees for his new appointment, Bishop Zziwa emphasised the importance of unity, cooperation and teamwork in workplaces as they are key elements for one to grow better.
“I always see leadership as a call to serve God and His people. I count on the cooperation of people and shared
responsibilities because where these elements are things always move in the right direction,” Bishop Zziwa said in his acceptance speech during the hand-over ceremony at the Uganda Catholic Secretariat on November 12, 2018.
Episcopal Conference and Bishop of Fort Portal
In his speech, the UEC outgoing Chairman, Archbishop Odama thanked his fellow Bishops and the UEC employees for their support and contribution during his tenure. He said that that it had been a pleasure and a double honour for him to have served this position adding that with the experience of the newly elected Office bearers, UEC will certainly grow for the better.
The UEC Secretary General, Msgr. John Baptist Kauta said that he is confident that the new office bearers will continue to see the Secretariat grow better. He congratulated Bishop Zziwa and Bishop Muhiirwa for having been appointed to take over these important roles.
Meanwhile the UEC also elected several Bishops to head the 10 Commissions of UEC. These includes Bishop Rubaramira as Chairman of the Finance and Administration Commission; Archbishop Lwanga as Chairman of the Caritas, Justice and Peace; Rt. Rev. Sabino Ocan Odoki, the Bishop of Arua Diocese as Head of Doctrinal Commission; Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok of Nebbi Diocese as Head of Education Commission.
Other are: Bishop Muhiirwa as head of Health Commission, Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemogerere of Kasana Luweero elected to lead the Lay Apostolate Commission, while Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha, the Auxiliary Bishop of Mbarara will head the Legal Service Commission.
The Pastoral Commission will be chaired by Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza of Lugazi Diocese while the Priestly Formation and Institutes of Consecrated Life Commission and the Social Communications Commission will be chaired by Rt. Rev. Francis Aquirino Kibira of Kasese Diocese and Rt. Rev. Joseph Franzelli of Lira Diocese, respectively.
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By Jacinta w. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
