Summary:
- Rev. Muhumuza who had served at the Kitaziguruka Church of Uganda for Eleven-and-a-half-month was transferred before his official installation.
RUKUNGIRI: In a dramatic turn of events, the priest of Kitazigurukwa Church of Uganda, Rujumbura Archdeaconry, in North Kigezi Diocese, Rev. Gershom Muhumuza on Sunday received a somber farewell following his transfer in Rukungiri District
Rev. Muhumuza who had served at the Kitaziguruka Church of Uganda for Eleven-and-a-half-month was transferred before his official installation.
He had succeeded Rev. Benson Akankwatsa, the current Archdeacon of Buhunga Archdeaconry. The transfer followed a tense protest in which Akankwatsa’s cattle were slaughtered. In a similar incident, one of Rev. Muhumuza’s cattle was also slaughtered, with the meat dumped in his compound.
Jackson Tumwesigye, Chairperson of the Father’s Union, expressed the deep sorrow of the congregation over the premature transfer of their dedicated priest. He blamed self-centered influential church members for sabotaging the gift of a motorcycle that had been promised to Rev. Muhumuza.
“These members allegedly influenced a meeting in which the gift was counseled, despite previous agreements among the church members”. Tumwesigye said.
Cue in Tumwesigye….on counseling the Reverend’s gift……RR//
Tumwesigye further disclosed that he was approached by a group of church members asking him to write a letter to the Bishop, a request he refused. He lamented the ongoing conflicts at Kitazigurukwa Church of Uganda, which have become notorious for targeting priests.
Cue in Tumwesigye….on the letter to the Bishop……RR//
Twehangane Henry, the head of the laity at Kitazigurukwa Church, urged Christians attending the service to take responsibility, cooperate, and let go of anger and backbiting, stressing that everyone depends on one another.
Cue in Twehangane….on everyone doing their part…..RR//
In his farewell address, Rev. Gershom Muhumuza, who has been transferred to Nyamabale Church of Uganda Parish in Nyarushanje Sub County called upon the congregation to remain calm, steadfast in their faith, and to trust in God’s guidance.
He attributed his early transfer to the actions of certain influential church members who mistreated him, even though he hails from Rukungiri Municipality, not the village as they claimed.
Cue in Rev. Gershom…..on God’s guidance…..RR//
During the service, awards were presented to the best performers of the Christmas thanksgiving competitions, which raised a total of 72 million Uganda shillings.
