Many people might choose to join church ministry due to the improving welfare of the clergy compared to the past.
These are remarks made by the retired Bishop of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, the Rt Rev Nathan Kyamanywa, while speaking at the thanksgiving ceremony of the retired Rev Solomon Tunuura at Kihandagana – Bucunga Cell in East Division, Hoima City yesterday (Sunday).
“Many Ugandans may target joining church leadership expecting wealth but adulterating God’s work. There is an apparent change in the welfare of the clergy whereby many can drive and even when they retire, they retire in good houses. Many are driving good cars as opposed to the past when they rode bicycles and lived in poverty,” he said.
The bishop dismissed rumours that church leaders exploit followers through using offerings saying that collections are too little to accumulate assets.
“You cannot do a lot from offerings but the key issue is for the parents to think about educating their children. Education opens up many opportunities for an individual,” he highlighted.
Audio: Kyamanywa on affluence (Runyoro/Rutooro)
The retired Bishop of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, the Rt Rev Nathan Kyamanywa Ateenyi, speaks at the thanksgiving ceremony of retired Rev Solomon Tunuura. (Image: Vincent Kugonza/Kazi-njema News)
Rev Tunuura, the host, appreciated the Almighty God for the mercy of giving him caring children who built him a retirement house which he launched at the same function.
“I am enjoying the fruits of educating my children and the love of all people who supported me in many ways to have my welfare improved,” he stated.
Rev Tunuura moves to his seat with his wife, Ms Mary Tunuura. (Image: Vincent Kugonza/Kazi-njema News)
The retired Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev Stanley Ntagali, congratulated Rev Tunuura upon retirement and the good service he offered to the church.
Rev Tunuura started his service in the Church of Uganda (Anglican) in 1979 as a teacher at Naigana Secondary School as the acting head teacher. In the same year, he married his wife Ms Mary Tunura. He was transferred to Mabaale Secondary School where he served from 1981-1982 as a teacher and at the same time a head teacher.
In 1983, he joined church ministry and studied at St Balya Theological College in Bukuku, Fort Portal where he attended a Free Ordination Course from 1983-1985.
In 1986, he was approved as a Deacon by the late Bishop Yonasani Rwakaikara.
Rev Tunuura was posted to Kyabasaija Church of Uganda in Kakumiro where he worked from 1986-1990. He was then transferred to St Mathew’s Church of Uganda in Masindi where he had four years in service.
Rev Tunuura later joined the National Teachers’ College for a two-year course that ended with a National Diploma in Education.
In 1986, he was transferred to Hoima Town Church for two years before he moved to Mukono for a Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity at Bishop Tucker Theological College which is currently Uganda Christian University (UCU).
He was later sent to minister at St Luke church of Uganda in Kagadi where he was also teaching at the Uganda Rural Development and Training (URDT) Secondary School and Peoples’ Secondary School also in Kagadi.
Rev Tunuura’s children appreciate their father’s responsibility of upbringing them. (Image: Vincent Kugonza/Kazi-njema News)
In May 2005, he was transferred to Duhaga Senior Secondary School in present day Hoima city where he served as the School Chaplain. He was enrolled on government payroll in 2008 when he was teaching at Kabyoya Secondary School before he officially retired as a teacher in 2020. In December 2022, he retired as a reverend.
His detailed profile was narrated to high profile guests who attended his thanksgiving ceremony.
Mr Idi Magezi, the Councillor for Bwikya Ward in Hoima city East Division and the aspiring Hoima City Woman Member of Parliament seat contestant for 2026 Princess Diana Mugenyi attended the ceremony.
Princess Diana expressed her willingness to support needy children to achieve education as long as she will be approached in her bid to promote education hailed by the clergy as key towards development.
