As the month of this year’s birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ dawned on the world, the period seemed to open the gate of worry and uncertainty, and almost immediately restored the confidence, for the parish priest of the Anglican Church of St. John Kitegomba in Gayaza Archdeaconry, Rev. Abel Sserwanja Merewooma, who was sacked for misdemeanor and re-instated only a few days later.
At only three months old in his new workplace, Rev. Merewooma received a dismissal letter from none other than the authority who had 3 months ago transferred him from to Kitegomba church. But as luck would have it, on 29th December, exactly 25 days later, the same Merewooma received another letter of appointment for a fresh job, this time from a bishop of neighbouring Mukono diocese, Bp. Enos Kitto Kagodo.
It had been proved beyond reasonable doubt that the man of God, before joining UCU to pursue a diploma in divinity, has most probably began by engaging some craftsman on Nasser Road to draft him a foolproof document which he successfully used to acquire a vacancy at the prestigious ‘Centre of Excellence in the Heart of Africa’.
Things seemed to move like clockwork up to and through graduation, until mankind’s urge for climbing yet more ladders got hold of the man of God and he made his trial at becoming the next bishop of Luweero diocese. This is when he was reminded that one needs to be a degree holder to become a bishop.
Bent on making the dream of his life come true, Merewooma ran back to Uganda Christian University (UCU) this time to pursue a degree. As bad luck would have it, scrutiny this time round was more thorough and it was then established that he had started by using forged papers.
UCU Revokes Dismissed Rev. Merewooma’s Diploma Over Forged Papers
The fallacy of his credentials led to reversal of his diploma and from then on, he was declared jobless through a 20th November 2024 letter from Can. Henry Ssegawa, the Diocesan Secretary for Namirembe.
A number of mind boggling questions are now doing the rounds in the minds of clear-headed Ugandans especially flocks in the Christianity fraternity:
– True, no man has the authority to question a fellow man’s spirituality, cleanness of mind or clear headedness, but for goodness’ sake, was the man of God conscious he was being trained, while at Mukono, to become a leader with the responsibility of making accountability to the creator over the flocks entrusted to him to help them trace their way to heaven?
– Was he truly satisfied, in his sense of senses, that he could continue bluffing society, his employers and (alas!) God that he was right and they were wrong?
– If it is true that Merewooma is being offered a job in Mukono diocese (by press time, Kyaggwe TV had seen a letter offering him the job as a resource mobilizer in the office of the bishop)
Ensonga Za Rev. Merewooma Zikyalanda: UCU Esazizzaamu Dipulooma Gye Yasomerayo!
– Ironically in the neighbourhood of UCU which awarded him the diploma in theology, and later revoked it – can authorities in the two dioceses, Mukono and Namirembe, give a consensual view without either crashing heads or clashing with the law or both? One disowns the man, the other embraces him!!
The Legal Implication
Pursuant to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Statute No. 2001 (Cap 262) Sec 45 (3), the university/tertiary institution reserves the right to revoke a degree, diploma, certificate or any other academic credential if it is established that the holder forged papers leading to its attainment.
Provisions of the canon law categorically state that a priest whose academic qualifications are revoked on grounds of having been achieved on forged papers, that person is by law not eligible to minister in any church in Uganda.
In Merewooma’s dismissal letter, Can. Ssegawa pointed out; “Your continued service as minister will mean that Namirembe diocese will be contravening the constitution and the Canon Law, and so your services end on November 30, 2024”.
He also reminded Merewooma that the grace period for which he asked for to produce genuine academic papers he used to join UCU elapsed on October 24th 2024 with no document having ever been produced.
The Christians in Kitegomba may as much as wail to have their priest stay; their ground is that in a short period he had begun construction of the church and the priest’s house. But are they wary of the old Luganda adage running to the effect that one doesn’t become the heir simply for having cared for the deceased to the last minute.
Under the circumstances, I may consider Bp. Banja to be more ethically awake and conscious of his spiritual obligations, and adherent to the legal provisions, both canon and otherwise. But this is my opinion!
As final touches were being put on this article, a letter of appointment to Rev. Merewooma written and signed by Mukono Diocese Bishop Rt. Rev. Enos Kitto Kagodo landed on Kyaggwe TV news desk and here below is an abridged translated version. (It was written in Luganda).
To Rev. Abel Sserwanja Merewooma, Namirembe Diocese;
Re: Assignment in Ministry 2025
I thank you for all ministerial duties that the Lord has enabled you to perform.
After prayer and guidance by God, this is to inform you that we have officially assigned you in the Diocesan office as a Diocesan Resource Mobiliser, responsible for assisting in the Planning and Development department, plus assisting in cathedral ministerial work.
You are assumed to have assumed your duties on 1st January 2025 and the programme for your course of duties will be communicated in due course.
Liaise with the Finance department to get means of transport (the diocese will avail a lorry).
Wishing you good service.
Rt. Rev. Enos Kitto Kagodo.