Kabale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna has been consecrated as the 6th Bishop of Kigezi Diocese. Akanjuna was elected in February by the House of Bishops to replace Rt. Rev. Eng. George Bagamuhunda, announced last year that he will retire early from active Church Service on grounds of poor health.
The consecration was held on Sunday at Kigezi High School Primary School playground in Kabale district and was presided over by Church of Uganda Archbishop, Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.
Preaching during the service, Rt. Rev.George Turyasingura, Bishop of East Ruwenzori Diocese asked Akanjuna to diligently serve Christians who protested his election. He also urged Akanjuna to make his office open to every Christian in the diocese because they need his blessings and counseling.
On Saturday, Akanjuna was welcomed to the Diocese from East Ruwenzori Diocese where he had been for retreat. He was accompanied by Bishop Bagamuhunda and Bishop Turaysingura.
Akanjuna made a stopover at Nyeikunama Primary School playground in Muhanga town council, Rukiga district where he was received by Christians and Rukiga district officials.
Pierre Mbabazi Nyetegyereize, a Christian from hamurwa town council in Rubanda district who is one of the Christians that led a petition against the election of Rev. Gad Akanjuna but later withdrew, was also seen at the function.
In the petition addressed to the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda the petitioners through their lawyers of Nzige, Jamero, and Company Advocates disputed the legality of Akanjuna’s election arguing that the election process was marred with irregularities. The other petitioners are Drake Twebaze Katabaazi, Professor John Kakitari, Margret Bikangaga, Michael Zaribwende, Dickson Kyabaseeta and Lauben Kuribakanya.
They argued that Akanjuna does not have academic qualifications for the office. They also note that the electoral college that elected him was also not properly constituted as per the guidelines of the Church of Uganda canons.
Akanjuna was born on August 10 1962 in Kitaga ,Kyanamira sub county, Kabale district. He joined Kigata Primary School and completed Primary Seven in 1980.
In 1981 joined Bukinda secondary school commonly known as Highland located in Bukinda sub-county, now Rukiga district up to 1984 when he completed Ordinary level. He joined Bukinda primary Core Teachers College and pursued a certificate in primary education.
In 1991, he became a catechist at Kikungiri Church of Uganda. In 1993, he attained a provincial certificate in theology in1995. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Diploma of Theology from Uganda Christian University, and a Certificate in Theology from Bishop Barham Divinity College.
Akanjuna is married to Jackeline Charity Akanjuna with four children and two grandchildren.
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