Bishop Esakhan unveils plans to revamp Kumi Diocese

Kumi, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Bishop of the Church of Uganda Diocese of Kumi, the Rt. Rev. Michael Okwii Esakhan has outlined plans to revamp Kumi Diocese.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Bishop announced 24 new appointments, postings, transfers, and retirements of priests that were approved by the Diocesan Staffing Committee.

The appointments and transfers were strategically considered based on the leaders’ capacities, training, and competencies, including experience.

The Bishop highlighted key areas of focus for the diocese in 2025 which include training of human resources, extension and construction of St. Phillips Cathedral, operationalization of a mini-tailoring workshop in Ngora Child and Youth Development Centre (CYDC), and establishment of a parking yard and washing bay in partnership with other private partners to create income for the diocese and provide employment for the youth.

The plan also involves renovation and reconstruction of the diocesan offices tailored towards clearing off the outstanding debts amounting to 200 million Shillings in the diocese.   The debts accrued from the diocesan leadership vacuum that lasted two years after the retirement of the founder bishop, Thomas Edison Irigei.

Jonathan Maraka, the Assistant Diocesan Secretary in charge of communications in Kumi says that the new administration of Kumi Diocese inherited debts amounting to 350 million Shillings from the past administration but has been able to clear 150 million Shillings within two years of work.

“Like in every organization and individual, generally debts are incurred through services/purchases procured on credit, borrowing money, arrears, and court cases, delay to pay/remit dues/fees, etc,” he said.

The other planned interventions to revamp the diocese include operationalization of the Board of Governors of Ngora Parents Secondary School, extension of the offices for St. Matthew’s Church of Uganda in Bukedea, completion of the construction of specific churches: St. Luke’s COU Wiggins, St. Peter’s COU Mukura, St. Peter’s COU Kakere, St. John’s COU Kamailuk, St. Michael COU Katerega Atoot, Kachibu COU, among others.

Kumi Diocese is also mobilizing and planning for the Diocesan Silver Jubilee celebrations and convention in September 2026. The diocese was carved from Soroti Diocese in 2001.

Bishop Esakhan said that sanity and relative peace had returned to the diocese, and prayed for the full recovery of the churches and free worship in the Churches that he noted are yet being forcefully and illegally occupied by the Reformed Anglican Church.

“We are a powerful diocese, what we need is to enhance our solidarity, respect for authority, and accept our leaders to lead us and show direction as we propose to imitate God and do good for others and our diocese,” the Bishop said.

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