The Diocese of Masindi Kitara is set to welcome a new Anglican Bishop next year as Rt. Rev. William George Kasangaki Atwooki approaches his retirement. Bishop Kasangaki is preparing to step down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, having been born in 1960.
Kasangaki took over the position from the previous Archbishop of the Church of Uganda 12 years back after he retired. He has served as the second bishop of the Diocese, which was established when it separated from the Bunyoro Kitara diocese.
Hailing from Bulima Village in Bijwanga sub-county, Masindi district, Kasangaki received his education at Bulima Primary School, Duhanga Secondary School, and later, Bishop Tucker College, now known as Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono.
He began his ministry by being ordained as a priest in Hoima district, which was at that time part of the Bunyoro Kitara diocese.
Kasangaki subsequently became the Vicar of St. Mathews Cathedral in Masindi, later serving as the secretary before being appointed as a Bishop in 2012.
In a recent exclusive interview with a local television station, the Bishop, who appears to be ready to leave, mentioned that he intends to retire on August 3, 2025, just before turning 65.
Throughout his leadership as the head of the Anglican Church in Masindi Diocese, the Bishop has navigated an organization burdened with financial difficulties and internal conflict. His diocese covers the districts of Masindi, Kiryandongo, and Buliisa.
“I continue to see people living in poverty, and even as I prepare for my retirement, we have appointed someone at the Diocese to focus on poverty alleviation to assist the communities in overcoming these challenges,” Bishop Kasangaki remarked.
As he approaches retirement, the Bishop is aware of the commitments made by President Museveni that he hopes will be fulfilled prior to his departure in August.
“There is the matter of a secondary school that the president approved, but the challenge lies in actualizing it. The president has been supportive, having assisted with the Cathedral and other projects. We need someone to ensure these promises are acted upon, and I am still waiting for the vehicle, as I have numerous provincial and diocesan journeys to undertake.”
Despite the Masindi-Kitara Diocese being officially established in 2004, it remains significantly affected by poverty.
“Our primary agricultural product is sugarcane. I want to urge our leaders to advocate for fair compensation for farmers regarding their cane. It’s frustrating that farmers are not allowed to see their cane’s weight and only receive results based on reports. This seems quite unreasonable,” he expressed.
The Bishop is also urging an end to the rise of teenage marriages in the Diocese, which have become a serious issue. The House of Bishops will convene soon to select a successor. Kasangaki indicated that preparations began months ago to avoid delays.
Some accomplishments of Bishop Kasangaki as he prepares for his retirement include the initiation of a Bishops house, which remains unfinished. The substantial Cathedral he began is also close to being completed. Nonetheless, he appears to be a satisfied individual with his modest achievements and is committed to supporting his successor whenever necessary.
