North Kigezi Diocese News
The former Assistant Bishop of Kampala Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Hannington Mutebi, has urged Christians to be salt and light of the earth by positively influencing the world for Christ rather than allowing the world to influence them.
Bishop Mutebi made the call while preaching at a confirmation service at St Peter’s Church of Uganda, Bugangari Archdeaconry, where he joined the Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe, in confirming 233 Christians into the faith.
Preaching from Matthew 5:13–16, Bishop Mutebi said Christians are called to be useful ambassadors of Jesus Christ who transform their communities and influence the world for God’s glory. He likened Christians to salt, which preserves and adds flavour, urging them to uphold moral values in society and share Christ through their testimonies
He also described Christians as the light of the world, which dispels darkness. He encouraged them not to underestimate the power they have through God, emphasizing that their light can only shine when they remain connected to Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Bishop Mutebi further called upon Christians to seek first the Kingdom of God and remain faithful to Christ, noting that God created everyone with a purpose. Sharing his testimony, he said he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019 and attributed his survival, recovery through a bone marrow transplant, and the clearance of his medical bills to God’s faithfulness.
The service also became a revival and restoration mission, with more than 150 people receiving Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour.
Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe urged Christians to maintain their value as salt and light, warning that once salt loses its value, it becomes difficult to restore it. He called upon those resisting God’s call to salvation to surrender to Him and allow Him to guide their Christian journey.
He also thanked the biological and Godparents of the confirmands for fulfilling the promises made during baptism by bringing the young believers for confirmation.
The Head of Laity at St Peter’s C.O.U Bugangari Archdeaconry, Lay Canon James Byarugaba, thanked Bishop Asiimwe for preaching the Gospel and for deploying clergy to serve the 12 parishes of the Archdeaconry.
He commended the Diocese particularly Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe for encouraging Christians to fight poverty through initiatives such as coffee growing, saying the Christians had embraced the call and were committed to expanding coffee production and contributing to the growth of the Archdeaconry.
The confirmation service brought together Christians and clergy from Bugangari Archdeaconry and beyond, with many people responding to the call to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour.
Other dignitaries present included Maama Florence Asiimwe, Maama Milly Mutebi, the Ven. Erasmus Barangirana, Archdeacon of Bugangari Archdeaconry; Rev. Canon George Bazahuza, Archdeacon of Buhunga Archdeaconry; retired Archdeacon Rev. Canon Elias Mbangi; Rev. Frank Kiconco, the Bishop’s Chaplain and Vicar of All Saints Church Rukungiri; and clergy serving under Bugangari Archdeaconry.
By Ayebazibwe Sezi
ICT Coordinator
Photos by Ankunda Jordan
