The Observer (Kampala)President Museveni has found a valuable campaign agent in Right Reverend Godfrey Makumbi, the Anglican Bishop of West Buganda diocese, who says his people have nothing more to demand from the head of state.
During a one-day retreat for deacons at Kako Secondary School, Bishop Makumbi praised President Museveni for the support he has rendered to the diocese, wondering what more Protestants would demand from him.
“He has done everything good for us. What does Kako demand from the president?” Makumbi asked the 300 deacons.
Makumbi revealed that the president had recently donated a new Mitsubishi Pajero to him at State House in Nakasero, the second such car in the country. He also mentioned that the president had agreed to extend piped water to the area, and donated Shs 200m to build two dormitories for Kako SS, as well as purchased 76 cows for Lugusuulu parish in Sembabule district at the tune of Shs 153m.
In addition, the bishop said, Museveni had pledged Shs 80m towards the construction of a church house along Edward Avenue in Masaka town.
“President Museveni has done a great job for us and I don’t demand anything from him anymore,” Makumbi declared.
The retreat, according to its organisers, was intended to remind the deacons about their responsibilities in the church, as well as address disciplinary matters following reports that some deacons had resisted transfers to other archdeaconries.
“I saw it fitting that we [have] this retreat to make them [deacons] understand their roles and responsibilities as church leaders wherever they work,” Bishop Makumbi told The Observer.
John Gita, the Mengo archdeacon, revealed that some deacons have embarrassed the church by indulging in sexual affairs outside their marriages or defiling young girls.
“They come as servants of God when they have not actually been anointed by him,” Gita said, warning the participants against heaping their plates with food when they attend parties.
The retired Bishop of Namirembe diocese, Samuel Balagadde Sekadde, who was among the retreat’s facilitators, criticised those who had served in church leadership for many years yet failed to persuade even a single follower to repent their sins.
The deacons commended Bishop Makumbi for organising the retreat, saying it had been timely and productive.
