Dear God, Please Let Me Finish My Last Cigarette: Here are the Interesting Things about Newly Consecrated North Kigezi Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe

Former St Francis Makerere Chaplain Onesimus Asiimwe has been enthroned as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of North Kigezi. Bishop Asiimwe’s consecration happened at Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyansaano in Rukungiri District on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

Archbishop Emeritus Henry Luke Orombi’s urged the Rt Rev Onesimus Asiimwe to “be humble.” He added: “Sometimes the church makes it very difficult for us to be humble. You have been faithful with the ‘little’ at St Francis Makerere, and now God is taking you to North Kigezi.”

On his part, Archbishop Kaziimba told Bishop Asiimwe to “continue listening to and embracing all voices, whether opposing or assenting” as well as to “engage in prayer and meaningful income generating activities, while also intensifying efforts in evangelism within the diocese.”

Before he got born again and started serving God, Asiimwe was engaged in drinking, smoking and womanizing. But an encounter he had with God would change his life’s path.

Here are the interesting things about Bishop Asiimwe, a son of lay reader Samwiri Meisho and Samali Meisho:

A drunkard in a staunch Christian home

Even when his parents were staunch Christians, Asiimwe engaged in drinking, smoking and fornication. But all this would change during his A-level holiday in 1988. An encounter with God, similar to the one Saul (later Paul) had, charted a new beginning.

Alone in the house as he nursed a hangover, Asiimwe said he heard the Lord’s voice asking him why he was violating the temple of the Holy Spirit (his body).

God, just this last cigarette!

After hearing the Lord’s voice, Asiimwe would ask God to allow him finish his cigarette, his last one, before he could get saved.

He also started staying away from girls who were ‘dying’ for the handsome youth he was.

Performed Miracles!

A teacher by training, Asiimwe got in trouble with Kigezi Diocese over his healing miracle prayers and sermons that were said to be similar to balokole’s (Pentecostals’). Then a teacher at Kigezi High School sometime in the early 2000s, Asiimwe was blocked for giving sermons.

Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo would later call Asiimwe to serve at the Provincial Secretariat of the Church of Uganda. Starting in 2001, his role was to head a program concerned with deliverance, healing and intercession. A year later, Asiimwe left teaching to focus on his new role which he did until Archbishop Nkoyoyo’s retirement.

First Lay Chaplain to Ugandan Archbishop

Nkoyoyo’s successor, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, called him to serve as his chaplain, making him the first lay chaplain for an archbishop or even bishop in Uganda.

He would then join Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology in 2009. His ordination as a priest happened in 2012. Five years later, he became the St Francis Makerere chaplain.

More on Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe and other newly appointed Bishops is Here.