The preparations both in Bushenyi and Kampala, are spearheaded by a committee co-chaired by Cabinet ministers Mary Karooro Okurut (General Duties) and Ephraim Kamuntu (Tourism), with Yesse Mubangizi is secretary to the committee.
The Church of Uganda House of Bishops on April 20 elected Canon Twinonomujuni as next Bishop of the hitherto volatile West Ankole diocese, which saw sharp decisions between Christians at the height the leadership of Bishop Katonene.
Bishop-elect Twinomujuni will be consecrated and enthroned as Bishop on May 28 at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Bweranyangi, Bushenyi. He will succeed the Most Rev Stanley Ntagali, who has been the acting bishop of the diocese since Bishop Katoneene retired in October 2016.
According to Karooro, the announcement of the bishop-elect has been received with unanimous approval in the diocese and by all the stakeholders.
“The Bishop-elect has the good will of everybody and we shall organise a befitting consecration,” she said.
Archbishop Ntagali visited Kabwohe Archidiconary and said he was relieved the issue of the bishop has been well resolved.
“We are happy that God has been able to help us go through the this (getting a new bishop) in a very good way. And you know what? I am the most happy because I see everybody is now happy,” Archbishop Ntagali said at the home of Eldard Munooni, where he had breakfast on Friday before proceeding to Kyangyenyi Church of Uganda for his other pastoral duties — baptising and confirming Christians.
Bishop elect Twinonomujuni was on Sunday ushered in at his official residence at Bweranyangi ahead of his consecration later this month.
Who is Bishop Twinomujuni?
According to the Church of Uganda website, Canon Twinomujuni was born in 1968 in Muko, Rwebishekyo, Rwanyamahembe, Kashaari, Mbarara District. He was born again on August 15, 1986, during a mission at his church in the school holiday. The missioners were taking lunch in his parents’ home. As he was serving them, they asked if he was saved.
Twinomujuni was not; but, then, he clearly heard the Lord convict him that persisting in sin was not only wrong, but foolish. He then prayed with them to receive Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour.
After completing Senior Four, he began full-time ministry as a youth worker in Rutooma Archdeaconry, during which time he also completed a Certificate in Theology at Kinoni Divinity College. In 1992, Twinomujuni completed teacher training at Bishop Stuart Core PTC, where he also met his wife, Joy. They were married in 1992 and both began teaching at Rutooma Integrated Primary School.
In 1994, Canon Twinomujuni was admitted to the African Bible College in Malawi where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree, First Class, in Biblical Studies, with a minor in Communications. Upon returning to Uganda, he was ordained a deacon in December 1998, and a priest in December 1999, and returned to Bishop Stuart PTC as a Chaplain, as well as serving Kibingo Parish as their parish priest.
In 2002, Canon Twinomujuni completed a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, USA, and returned to Ankole Diocese to serve as the Diocesan Missions Coordinator. In 2004, he was appointed to Uganda Bible Institute, a theological college he helped establish, and where he currently serves as Principal.
In 2013, Canon Twinomujuni completed his second Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from Uganda Christian University.
Canon Twinomujuni has also served as Chaplain at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, a part-time lecturer at Bishop Stuart University, and many other positions of leadership in Ankole Diocese and the Province.
Canon Twinomujuni enjoys spending time with his family, writing songs, playing the piano, making friends, and writing books.
Canon Twinomujuni is married to Joy Twinomujuni, a teacher, and they have six children.
The election was made by the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda sitting at Lweza Training and Conference Centre on April 20, 2017.
