“Although the SDA Church nurtures many leaders with strong moral values, once they assume positions of authority, the church often distances itself from them,” Kityo said.
Bukoto East Member of Parliament–elect, Sarah Babirye Kityo, has challenged leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to actively support members who take up leadership roles in public office.
Kityo said that although the church plays a key role in nurturing members with strong moral values and leadership skills, it often distances itself from them once they assume positions of authority.
She made the remarks on Saturday while speaking as chief guest at the commissioning of Jeremiah Alisengawa as Bishop of the East Buganda Field during a ceremony that attracted hundreds of believers at Mukono Central SDA Church in Mukono Municipality.
“Although the SDA Church nurtures many leaders with strong moral values, once they assume positions of authority, the church often distances itself from them,” Kityo said. “If the church supported us, we would reach even further and spread the gospel wherever we go.”
Kityo, who is also a member of the SDA Church, appealed to the Archbishop of the church in Uganda, Samuel Kajoba, to organize a meeting with elected Adventist leaders to discuss ways they can work together to strengthen the church’s mission.
The event also featured a fundraising drive aimed at raising Shs200 million to purchase a vehicle for the newly installed bishop. Church members were encouraged to contribute at least Shs10,000, with the fundraising campaign expected to run until April 2026.
During the ceremony, Archbishop Kajoba officially installed Pr. Alisengawa as Bishop of the East Buganda Field in a colorful service attended by hundreds of believers from the districts of Mukono District, Buikwe District, Kayunga District and Buvuma District.
According to the Uganda Union Executive Secretary, Nicholas Bitamazire, Bishop Alisengawa will serve a four-year term from 2026 to 2030 alongside his executive team.
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Bitamazire noted that Alisengawa, who holds a Master’s degree in Management Studies from the Uganda Management Institute and is currently pursuing a PhD at Nkumba University, will provide both spiritual and administrative leadership to the field.
“His role includes strategic planning, oversight and implementation of the field’s mission and vision. He is expected to foster strategic governance to ensure accountability while strengthening leadership capacity to guide districts and institutions towards sustainable growth and mission effectiveness,” Bitamazire said.
Alisengawa was installed together with members of his executive team, including Pr. Joshua Ssentongo as Secretary and Elder Robert Golooba as Treasurer.
Other departmental directors include Resty Kabengule (Women, Education and Children’s Ministries), Pr. John Bosco Kaliisa (Family Life), Pr. Fred Kayiira (Stewardship, Lands and Development), and Pr. Sylvester Senabulya (Youth, Music and Chaplaincy).
Also appointed were Elder Apollo Mubiru (Adventist Men and Communication), Elder William Kamya (Health and Possibility Ministries), and Pr. James Luggya Kyobe (Sabbath School and Evangelism).
During the installation, Archbishop Kajoba reminded the new bishop that the church had prayerfully entrusted him with a sacred responsibility.
“Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church has elected you to this position of leadership. It is a sacred honor to be entrusted with the oversight of God’s work. Having prayerfully considered this call, do you willingly accept the responsibilities of this office?” Kajoba asked.
Alisengawa responded that he accepted the leadership role as a sacred trust.
“I accept this leadership assignment as a sacred trust the Lord has placed before me. By His grace, I dedicate my abilities, gifts and strength to His glory and the advancement of His cause,” he said.
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While preaching after the installation, Kajoba also revealed that the Uganda Union executive had banned pastors, church executives and leaders from engaging in betting activities, warning that anyone found participating in gambling would face disciplinary action.
He urged Christians and leaders to respect the church and uphold its values.
In his address, Bishop Alisengawa expressed concern over rising crime and the weakening of family institutions, which he described as key pillars of a strong nation.
“When we witness moral decay, the breakdown of marriages and families, increasing crime in society, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, and declining spirituality, it calls for leaders to come together and guide our people towards building a reformed and improved nation,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, Bishop Samuel Lwandasa of Mt. Lebanon Churches in Greater Mukono commended the government for restoring freedom of worship, noting that religious gatherings that were once held secretly can now be conducted openly.
Meanwhile, Mukono Resident District Commissioner Fatuma Ndisaba Nabitaka and her deputy Moses Muyambi urged church leaders to establish land committees to safeguard church property through proper surveying and titling.
They revealed that their offices are currently handling several land disputes involving church land that was donated to religious institutions but later sold by relatives of the original donors.
