Bunyoro – Kitara Diocese (COU) on Monday morning had a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the first official residence for sitting bishops.
Rt Rev Samuel Kahuma, the Bishop of Bunyoro – Kitara diocese, broke the ground at the ceremony that took place at Rusembe 1 Cell in Western Ward, Kahoora Division in Hoima Municipality.
The storey building will cost more than Shs1b, according to Bishop Kahuma.
He said the current old residence that has so far accommodated more than five bishops of Bunyoro –Kitara diocese was constructed for another purpose for church ministers but not to accommodate bishops.
“This house was built for different purposes but of course for church work, church ministers but not for bishops. So, we are constructing the bishops’ house because this is the first time the Christians are coming out to say now let us have a bishop’s house built for that purpose,” the bishop said.
The cleric added that the diocese needs a state-of-the-art residence for bishops since the current one is old-fashioned and will not match the standards of Hoima Oil City once it becomes operational next fiscal year.
“As you can see that house, it is now old and it is not up to standard. This [Hoima] is a city with effect from next year. We expect the people and religious leaders in the city to be living in standard houses matching the city status,” bishop Kahuma added.
The tender for construction was awarded to Mwebe Contractors and General Construction Company who are expected to complete the work in six months.
Funds for the work will be solicited from Christians within and outside the diocese.
The bishop said Christians will contribute money through their archdeacons and parish priests who will in turn issue receipts as a sign that the money was duly received.
Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese (COU) comprises five geo-political districts including Kagadi, Kibaale and Kakumiro and Kikuube and Hoima districts.
At first it also included Masindi, Kiryandongo and Buliisa districts before they were given autonomy to form Masindi-Kitara Diocese.
