HOLY WAR! Bishop Demotes Reverend Who Nearly Took His Job

Anglican Church of Uganda’s West Ankole Diocese Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni has demoted former diocesan secretary Arthur Atwine, a man who nearly became bishop a few years ago.

Days ago, Bishop Twinomujuni shuffled ministers in the diocese, transferring some and demoting others.

BISHOP TWINOMUJUNI TRANSFERS & APPOINTMENTS

Twinomujuni has sent Ven Can Benon Muhwezi, who has been archdeacon at the Ishaka Urban Archdeaconry, to Kabwohe to replace new diocesan secretary Ven Rev Joseph Mweyungye.

Ven Rev John Makuru will leave Kyeizooba Archdeaconry to serve as sub-dean at the St Peter’s Bweranyangi Deanery. Makuru will also serve as a missioner, stepping in the shoes of Rev Can Wilson Tumuhairwe. Tumuhairwe, who has been dean for the past eight years, is retiring.

Bishop Twinomujuni has also appointed a new diocesan treasurer in Rev Edson Rukundo. Rukundo, who has been the treasurer of Jubilee Sacco as well as the overseer of the West Ankole Diocese estates and land, will replace Dan Atukunda Kangate. Kangate will now be the coordinator of the proposed Katungu Mission Specialized Hospital.

BISHOP TWINOMUJUNI ‘DEMOTES’ REV ARTHUR ATWINE, BETHEL NAMAARA

Bishop Twinomujuni sent Rev Can Bethel Namaara to Kyanyakatura Archdeaconry as area archdeacon. For the past one year, Rev Can Namaara was the acting diocesan secretary. 

The bishop appointed the Ven Rev Joseph Mweyungye the new diocesan secretary. Until that appointment, Ven Rev Mweyungye was the archdeacon for Kabwohe. Kabwohe is found in Sheema whose Anglicans are demanding secession from West Ankole Diocese. The proposed name of the diocese comprising Sheema District is Central Ankole Diocese.

Rev Can Arthur Atwine, a man of God who once served as diocesan secretary and nearly became bishop – or at least acting bishop – has lost his job as spokesperson (Public Relations Officer – PRO) of the Ankole Western University (AWU), is now the new archdeacon of Kitagata Archdeaconry.

Rev Can Atwine will replace Rev Can Godfrey Bejuura. Bishop Twinomujuni has sent Rev Can Bejuura on sick leave.

REV ARTHUR ATWINE WOES

Upon the retirement of Bishop Yona Katonene in 2016, a power struggle for the West Ankole Diocese bishop job saw Justice Lydia Mugambe of the High Court order that then diocesan secretary Rev Arthur Atwine become an acting bishop – with the reverend taking over all episcopal jurisdiction of the diocese until all disputes pertaining to the process of appointment of a new bishop have been resolved.

Then Archbishop Stanley Ntagali had appointed a commissary, comprising Rev Can Wilfred Tumuhairwe, Prof Emmanuel Karooro. Alison Ayetoraniire, and Marvin Baryaruha to take over the episcopal jurisdiction of the diocese until the appointment of a new substantive bishop replacing Katonene.

But court blocked Ntagali’s commissary after a petition from clergy in the diocese. Twinomujuni took over as bishop the following year after a process in which Atwine’s role as diocesan secretary was significant.

Meanwhile, Bishop Twinomujuni’s decision to ‘fire’ a female priest after her husband married a second wife has left some in shock. (See Details Here).