Chaos has erupted among believers of St. John’s Church of Uganda Kitegomba in Kasangati, Wakiso district and have boycotted a number of religious obligations, demanding that the Bishop of Namirembe Diocese reverses his decision to sack the parish priest Rev. Abel Sserwanja Mereewooma.
It is reported that on learning about the bishop’s directive, the Christians boycotted the 22nd December church service conducted by the Archdeacon Rev. Ven. Can. Dunstan Mazinga Kiwanuka, with some standing outside in groups, while those in church did not spiritually attend to the priest but were deep in conversation about the development.
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Rev. Mereewooma was only three months ago transferred from Kireka to Kitegomba and, according to believers, within this short period, he had begun work with the construction of a new church and the priest’s residence. As such, they were not ready to lose such a committed minister.
On allegations that Mereewooma was being sacked for lacking the requisite qualifications, an angry head of the laity Stephen Kayongo asked, “Did the Jesus that Bishop Banja follows go to any school?”.
Mereewooma’s name is not new to controversy, as sometimes back when his name appeared on the list of those wishing to replace Eldad Nsubuga as the bishop for Luweero diocese, Christians in the diocese rejected his name on grounds of alleged lack of required qualifications, in addition to not having completed the mandatory period of service.
However, the former head of the laity in the archdeaconry, Geoffrey Kulubya appealed to believers to be calm and wait for a final decision over the matter from higher authorities. Meanwhile, many disgruntled believers were heard swearing not to put any offertory in the envelopes given to them for the purpose of Christmas service, saying they do not want their money to reach the bishop.
Bishop Banja in a development portraying him as being intent on following demands of discipline stipulated in canon law, began his term by sacking the entire Namirembe diocese choir for alleged insubordination, and choir members were required to file fresh applications to rejoin the choir, something which was done and of recent, he reconciled with those who followed his directions.
It was reported that the successful choir members first went through an induction before rejoining the ministry.
Omuliro e Namirembe! Bp. Banja Agobye Rev. Mereewooma Abakulisitaayo ne Batabuka!