President Museveni gifts Bishop Kugonza brand-new vehicle
“It is true that the diocese has received the vehicle. A team is already on its way back to Masindi with it,” Mukuru said.
Masindi: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has fulfilled his pledge to support the Bishop of Masindi Kitara Diocese, Rt. Rev. Joshua Kugonza, with a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser.
The vehicle, whose registration number had not been disclosed by press time, was handed over on Tuesday afternoon in Kampala by Dr. Balaam Barugahara, the Minister for Local Government on behalf of the President.
President Museveni had pledged to donate a vehicle to Bishop Kugonza during his consecration and enthronement last year through the then Minister of State for Public Service, Mary Grace Mugasa.
While presenting the vehicle, Dr. Barugahara cited scripture, describing the donation as recognition of the bishop’s service to the church and society. “Let the elders who direct the affairs of the church well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching,” Dr. Barugahara said, quoting 1 Timothy 5:17.
He commended Bishop Kugonza for his leadership and ministry, and prayed for God’s guidance upon President Museveni. “We congratulate Bishop Kugonza upon receiving this vehicle and wish him a fruitful and impactful episcopal ministry. We also pray that God continues to grant President Museveni wisdom and strength as he serves the people of Uganda,” Dr. Barugahara said.
Speaking to this publication on Tuesday evening, the diocesan secretary, Ronald Mukuru, confirmed receiving the vehicle but declined to provide further details. “It is true that the diocese has received the vehicle. A team is already on its way back to Masindi with it,” Mukuru said.
The donation comes months after Christians in Masindi Kitara Diocese launched a fundraising campaign to purchase an official vehicle for their bishop amid delays in the fulfillment of the presidential pledge.
Earlier, Simon Peter Ayebale, the Head of Laity at St. Matthew’s Cathedral and chairperson of the committee spearheading the vehicle procurement drive, said the fundraising initiative was not intended to protest the delay but rather to fulfill the Christians’ responsibility of supporting their bishop.
“We are not protesting the delay in fulfilling the presidential pledge. As Christians, we have a responsibility to support our bishop and ensure he has the tools necessary to effectively carry out his ministry,” Ayebale said at the time.
According to Ayebale, the diocesan synod that sat in April resolved to mobilize resources for the purchase of a vehicle and had already raised Shs20 million toward the cause.
The handover of the new Toyota Land Cruiser is expected to ease transportation challenges for Bishop Kugonza as he oversees pastoral activities across the vast Masindi Kitara Diocese
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