Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
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| Archbishop-elect Lambert Beinomugisha |
Pope Francis on Saturday, April 25, appointed Auxiliary Bishop Lambert Bainomugisha, the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, taking over from Archbishop Paul Kamuza Bakyenga.
In his letter, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda Archbishop Luigi Bianco announced the appointed saying, “The Apostolic Nuncio has the joy to announce that the Holy Father Pope Francis has appointed Rt. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha Auxiliary Bishop of Mbarara, the new Archbishop of Mbarara while accepting the resignation from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese presented by Most Rev. Paul K. Bakyenga, upon reaching the canonical age limit.”
The Pope’s representative in Uganda lauded the appointment of Archbishop-elect and appreciated the retired Archbishop for his selfless and long service to God’s people.
“As we congratulate the new Archbishop, we express our gratitude to Most. Rev. Paul. K. Bakyenga, for his generous service and leadership for more than three decades as Coadjutor, Bishop and the First Archbishop of Mbarara,” the Nuncio expressed.
He added that Archbishop Bakyenga will remain as the Apostolic Administrator of Mbarara until the day of the canonical possession by the new Archbishop.”
The new Archbishop-elect was ordained a diocesan priest of Mbarara Archdiocese in July 1991, and later was appointed the Auxiliary Bishop of the same diocese in July 2005 with the Titular See of Tacia Montana, and ordained the same year in October.
The 58-year-old Prelate holds a doctorate in Canon Law from St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, Canada.
He worked as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Holima, Uganda a responsibility he carried out from November 2009 to February 2016.
He is currently the chairman of the Legal Service Commission at the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC).
Archbishop Paul Bakyenga served as Chairman of the regional body (AMECEA), for 6 years. He took over from Most Rev. Josephat Lebulu (of Tanzania) in 2002 and served in that capacity until 2008 when he handed over to Most Rev. Tarcizio G. Ziyaye (of Malawi). AMECEA Secretariat wishes Archbishop Bakyenga a good retired and congratulates Most Rev. Lambert on the new appointment.