UGANDA: Pope Appoints Vicar General as New Bishop of Masaka Diocese
The Holy Father, Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Serverus Jjumba as the new bishop of the Diocese of Masaka, located in the Southern part of Uganda.
Msgr. Jjumba, who is currently serving as Vicar General of Masaka, succeeds Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa, whose resignation was accepted by the Pope upon reaching the age of 75 in March 2018.
The appointment was announced on Tuesday, April 16 in a statement issued by His Excellency Most Rev. Luigi Bianco, the new Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda.
“The Apostolic Nunciature has the joy to announce that the Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed Rev. Mgsr. Serverus Jjumba as new bishop of Masaka, while accepting the resignation of presented by Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa upon having reached the age limit,” reads a section of the statement.
The Apostolic Nuncio further applauded Bishop Kaggwa for his dedicated service in giving pastoral care to Masaka Diocese and to the Church. He has served as the Ordinary of Masaka for 21 years.
He also informed the people of God that Bishop Kaggwa will remain Apostolic Administrator of Masaka Diocese until the day of the canonical possession by the new bishop.
The bishop-elect was born in Masaka on July 2, 1962; he was ordained to priesthood on June 20, 1992. After completing his primary school at St. Augustine’s and St. Paul Primary School in Kitovu, Masaka, he joined Bukalasa Minor Seminary in Kalungu, Masaka, to pursue his secondary school education.
He did his philosophical studies at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary, Katigondo in Masaka and completed his theological studies at St Mary’s National Major Seminary, Ggaba, Kampala. He holds a Diploma in Religious Studies and a Master’s in Education from Makerere University, Uganda.
As a priest, he has served in a number of roles including Assistant at Bikira Parish (1991-1993); formator and treasurer at Bukalasa Minor Seminary (1993-2000); Masaka Diocesan Treasurer (2000-2014); and Vicar General of Masaka Diocese (2014 to date).
The Nuncio urged the Catholic faithful to join him in fervent prayer for the bishop-elect so that he may be guided and strengthened by the wisdom and courage of the Holy Spirit in his new mission.
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By Jacinta W. Odongo, Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
