The 3rd Bishop of North Ankole

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OPINION

By Ronald Katabarwa

The House of Bishops sitting at Lweza Training and Conference Centre on March 6, 2024 named Rev. Can. Alfred Muhoozi as Bishop-Elect of North Ankole Diocese, who upon consecration on May 26, 2024 will be the third bishop of that diocese since it was formed in 2003.

Born on October 9, 1972 (only 10 years after Uganda had gained her independence), Can. Muhoozi is the second born of the late James Byempaka and the late Constance Tushemereirwe; the former was a staunch Christian that contributed significantly to evangelism in the present-day North Ankole Diocese.

Rev. Can. Muhoozi is married to Molly Muhoozi and they have four children. Canon Muhoozi was only four years old when his father who was arrested — never to return — by the Idi Amin government in 1976. His father went to Kazo Primary School circa 1956 and was a fairly educated man. Because of this exposure, he was a contemporary of Grace Ibingira who was a vocal critic of the Amin government.

Rev. Can. Muhoozi started his primary education at Rushere Primary School in 1982 before having a short stint at Mbarara Municipal School. However, his mother, a single mother, failed to pay Muhoozi’s school fees. He returned to Rushere Primary School to complete his primary school education in 1990.

Muhoozi joined Kaaro High School in Kiruhura district where he studied for only one term and dropped out for lack of school fees. Two years before he sat his PLE exams, a young Muhoozi had joined the NRA (currently UPDF) as a kadogo in 1988 where he completed the basic military training in Kiburara. A week to the passing-out ceremony, his mother came to Kiburara — following a tip-off from a family friend in the military — and picked up Muhoozi and took him back home to resume his education. During military training, Muhoozi excelled in singing and boosting the morale of his colleagues, earning himself a nickname Kibonge Kaseti.

Elective politics

In 2001, Muhoozi joined elective politics and stood for the office of sub-county councillor Rushere ward in Kenshunga sub-county. He was unopposed. He went on to become sub-county speaker unopposed and was its pioneer speaker.

In 2003, Muhoozi decided to resume secondary school education. After only a term, he met the then diocesan secretary and second Bishop of North Ankole, Rt. Rev. Stephen Namanya, with whom he shared his desire to become a clergyman. The then diocesan secretary shared this with the then Bishop Rt. Rev. John Muhanguzi. The latter approved Muhoozi’s request and sent him to Namugongo for an adult education interview that saw him begin the journey that has resulted culminated in his becoming bishop today.

Rev. Can. Muhoozi has a diploma, a bachelor’s in theology and a master’s in theology and development from Uganda Christian University, Mukono. Muhoozi was ordained in 2007 by the Rt. Rev. John Muhanguzi who later became his biggest inspiration and mentor. In 2009, then, Rev. Muhoozi was sent to Kijuma Parish as the parish priest where he spent close to two years. He was thereafter posted to Sya Parish (currently archdeaconry) where he spent six months before he was transferred to Nshwere Parish (President Museveni’s Church) where he served for 11 months in 2011.

Rev. Can. Muhoozi at this level was already destined for bigger things. Bishop Muhanguzi, only three years to his retirement, made Muhoozi an archdeacon after only five years in service.

This is very revealing of the man that Rev. Can. Muhoozi was about to become. His duty station was to be Rwemikoma Archdeaconry for close to a decade. After nine years of excellent service, Muhoozi was transferred to Kinoni Archdeaconry where he has served for two and a half years before he was named third Bishop of North Ankole Diocese earlier this month. The tall slender clergyman from Rushere has also been at the forefront of the diocese’s development projects, including the sh960m Bishop’s Girls School, Rushere Primary School and North Ankole Platinum SACCOs.

North Ankole Diocese covers the two districts of Kazo and Kiruhura. Not just districts, the third Bishop of North Ankole will superintendent over 16 archdeaconaries, 72 parishes, 12 church-founded secondary schools, 118 primary schools, 1 pre-primary school and eight health facilities that serve the community.

Rev. Can. Alfred Muhoozi takes charge at a time when the diocese is undertaking many development projects. His is a story of humble beginnings, humility and service beyond self. Congratulations.

The writer is a Christian of Bugarihe C.O.U