Rev. Canon Gaster Nsereko has been consecrated and enthroned as the 7th Bishop-elect for the West Buganda Diocese at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Kako, in Masaka.
He succeeds Rt. Rev. Henry Katumba Tamale, who has served as bishop for eight years and seven months.
During the consecration and enthronement ceremony, Rev. Samuel George Bogere Egesa, the Bishop of the Bukedi Diocese, delivered a powerful sermon urging believers to avoid sinful behaviors such as corruption and brutality.
He particularly condemned the actions of government security agents who beat people, urging people to rise above such conduct.
Bishop Egesa drew a parallel between the biblical story of Zacchaeus and the situation in Uganda today.
“In the Bible, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree; currently, people in Uganda climb different trees of corruption, hypocrisy, immorality, unkindness, drunkenness, and many others. We are called upon to come down from these trees just like Jesus called Zacchaeus to come down from the tree. What kind of tree are you climbing?”
He further emphasized that the West Buganda Anglicans should not compare Canon Nsereko to the retiring Bishop Katumba, stressing that each is uniquely gifted for their role.
In the presence of His Grace Samuel Kazimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Bishop-elect, Rev. Canon Gaster Nsereko, solemnly took the oath, made the declaration, and pledged to uphold the Church’s constitution and canons, officially stepping into his new role as bishop.
At the event, Energy Minister Ruth Nankabirwa, who represented President Museveni, congratulated Bishop Nsereko and reaffirmed the government’s support for him.
She also delivered a Toyota vehicle from the president and Shs 10 million from the NRM MPs from Buganda.