The organizing committee for the consecration and enthronement of the new bishop of Kumi diocese is struggling to raise more than UGX 663 million budgeted for the function. Kumi diocese is preparing for the consecration of Rev. Michael Okwii Esakan on March 6, 2022.
Rev. Okwii was elected by the house of Bishops on February 9, 2022 to replace the first bishop of Kumi diocese, Rt. Rev. Thomas Edison Irigei who retired in December 2019.
His election followed the failed consecration of Rev. Charles Okunya Oode whose election was called off by the house of bishops in February 2020. According to the time frame given by the Provincial Secretary, Rev. Can. Capt. William Ongeng, Kumi diocese had a month to prepare for the consecration of the new bishop.
Accordingly, the diocese constituted an organizing committee chaired by Emmanuel Maraka to spearhead preparations for the consecration of the new bishop.
However, out of the planned budget of UGX 663 million, the committee had realized less than Shillings ten million by Sunday, during the second planning meeting held at Kumi Diocesan offices in Kumi Municipality.
Maraka is worried that they may not be able to realize the resources since the time is running out. He says that the money for the failed consecration in 2019 was spent on the construction of the bishop’s house, which he notes is still under construction.
Maraka adds that most of money in the new budget also goes to the completion of bishop’s house, which requires additional 200 million Shillings.
Justine Opolot, the treasurer for organizing committee says that budget covers consecration, accommodation and farewell for the caretaker bishop of Kumi, Rt. Rev. Charles Odurkami, who has served since December, 2019.
He adds that the diocese has a debt of UGX. 61 million for labour and some materials used in the construction of the bishop’s residence. Opolot, who was tasked by the committee to account for the money collected in 2019, says that they didn’t have any other source of income to continue with the construction because of COVID-19 and the protests from some churches that withheld remittances to the diocese.
Andrew Ojirot Anapa, the former speaker of Ngora district council and Christian of Kumi diocese, says that the budget is unachievable and asks the committee to prioritize on the consecration of the new bishop as issues of construction of his residence hold for adequate funds.
However, the diocesan secretary, Moses Okello says that Kumi diocese owes the province UGX. 35 million that was not sent because of the chaos in the last two years marked by protests from a section of Christians.
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