Africa-Press – Uganda. The Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Onesimus Asiimwe, has officially installed the Very Rev. Dickens Baguma as the new Dean of Emmanuel Cathedral Kinyasano.
The installation ceremony took place on Sunday at the Cathedral’s consecration site in Kinyasano, Rukungiri District, drawing clergy, laity and community leaders from across the diocese.
Rev. Baguma assumes office after serving as Archdeacon of Nyakisoroza Archdeaconry from January 2024 until the end of 2025.
In his sermon, Bishop Asiimwe charged the newly installed Dean to actively seek out the lost and shepherd them back to Christ.
“Many are lost in bars, lodges, and within broken families,” he said, urging the Dean to reach out to those who may not ordinarily attend church.
Referencing Psalm 78:72, the Bishop called on the Dean to shepherd God’s flock with integrity of heart and skillful hands, emphasizing that true integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching. He cautioned against hypocrisy, noting that while some individuals may be hired for their skills, they are often dismissed for lack of integrity.
Quoting 1 Samuel 18:14, Bishop Asiimwe underscored the importance of wisdom in leadership. He encouraged the Dean to guide meetings, families and the Church wisely, and to ensure that his words are seasoned and life-giving, reminding him that words have the power to build or destroy.
While affirming the authority entrusted to him, the Bishop urged Rev. Baguma to remain consultative and humble, noting that higher responsibility exposes one’s true character.
Drawing from John 21:15–17, he urged the Dean to feed Christ’s lambs and sheep with love and compassion, without exploitation, and to care for the wounded. He also encouraged him to remain above politics and to preach the true Gospel rather than what people merely want to hear.
“A church that prays, teaches the Word of God and worships faithfully is one even Satan fears,” he said.
Citing Hebrews 12:28, Bishop Asiimwe reminded Christians that they belong to an unshakable kingdom and should not be intimidated by people of status or influence. He called upon believers to forsake sin and return to Christ. During the service, more than 100 people gave their lives to Christ, while several others reconciled with one another.
The Bishop also called for reconciliation and humanity following the recently concluded general presidential and parliamentary elections held nationwide on January 15, 2026. He urged political actors to reconcile, but expressed disappointment with some church leaders who openly took sides during the elections, accusing them of promoting sectarianism, fostering hatred and damaging the image of the Church.
Instead, he encouraged Christians and church leaders to support political leaders through prayer and to offer comfort and hope to those who lost in the elections, noting that many may be nursing emotional and financial wounds.
Bishop Asiimwe further warned against turning churches into marketplaces. He advised Christians to avoid selling commodities within church premises, saying the practice causes unnecessary delays in services and shifts focus away from worship. He urged traders to conduct business in markets and bring cash offerings to church instead.
In his closing remarks, the Bishop encouraged Cathedral leadership, together with the Head of Laity, to embrace coffee growing as a model income-generating activity for other parishes. He also urged Christians to cultivate a saving culture by opening accounts with the North Kigezi Diocese SACCO and encouraged church-founded schools to do the same.
Speaking on behalf of the laity, Abel Turyabe Matita thanked Bishop Asiimwe for his commitment to preaching the Gospel and strengthening the Church.
In his remarks, Rev. Baguma expressed gratitude to the Bishop for entrusting him with the sacred responsibility of leading the Cathedral. He pledged to serve with integrity, teamwork and unity, emphasizing that together they would accomplish more for God’s work.
The Resident District Commissioner of Bushenyi District, Emmanuel Ngabirano Bakihahoki, who is also the Nyakagyeme Archdeaconry Head of Laity and a longtime friend of the newly installed Dean, pledged his support to Bishop Asiimwe in fulfilling his episcopal mandate as the sixth Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese.
Representing the Guest of Honour, Dr. Shekam, Canon Twirire Yosia described the new Dean as a committed servant of God with a deep passion for pastoral care. He echoed the Bishop’s call for Rev. Baguma to seek out the lost and serve with unwavering integrity.
Canon Twirire also revealed that Dr. Shekam, who sent him as a representative, gifted Rev. Baguma a cow and supported him by paying his tuition during his course of study.
