Christians congregated at Kabubwa Church of Uganda Parish in Kakumiro District, Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, to bid farewell to Rt. Bishop Samuel Kahuma in a vibrant ceremony marked by pomp and colour. The occasion signalled his impending retirement in August this year, as he approaches the age of 65, having been consecrated as the fifth Bishop of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese on December 4, 2016, succeeding Emeritus Bishop Nathan Kyamanywa.
During the farewell event, Bishop Kahuma confirmed over 80 children and expressed gratitude to Kabubwa Church of Uganda for their unwavering support, unity, and collaborative efforts in advancing the development of the church. He singled out Rev. Edward Twesigye of Kabubwa Parish for commendation and urged Christians to extend their support to the incoming Bishop.
Retiring with a spirit undeterred, Bishop Kahuma addressed the clergy, advocating for an honourable retirement. He cautioned against the potential pitfalls of retiring clergy leading miserable lives, urging them to prepare both spiritually and economically to avert desperate circumstances. Kahuma pledged his availability for consultation, emphasizing the importance of early preparation for a fulfilling retirement.
The Archdeacon of All Saints Kakumiro archdeaconry, Rev. Paddy Eleazer Irumba, expressed gratitude to Bishop Kahuma for his seven years of transformative leadership. Under Kahuma’s guidance, churches experienced spiritual and economic growth, with clergy members benefiting from higher education and the initiation of various projects such as apiaries, piggeries, tree planting, and SACCOS formations.
Rev. Twesigye Edward, the Kakubwa parish priest, led a guided tour of Church projects initiated by Christians, including a multi-million priest’s house spearheaded by Bishop Kahuma. Twesigye lauded Kahuma for his love, encouragement, hard work, and support for clergy development, particularly in education and spiritual growth. The impact of Kahuma’s leadership was evident in the growth of churches from sub-parishes to parishes and archdeaconries.
As Bishop Kahuma approaches the retirement age of 65 on August 28, 2024, a committee has been formed to identify potential nominees for his successor. Eligibility criteria include ordination as priests with a minimum of ten years of pastoral ministry experience, a minimum age of 45, and possession of a bachelor’s degree in Theology or Divinity, or alternatively, a degree in another field complemented by a postgraduate diploma in Theology or Divinity.
