nd Volume 1, Issue 5 2 March 2009

Archbishop’s 5th Anniversary Dinner Celebration Rallies Support for the Next Five Years

Three hundred people from all sectors of the country gathered at the Serena Hotel in on Thursday, 26th February 2009, for a three-course dinner celebrating the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi’s first five years as Archbishop of the Church of .

The cost of the dinner – 31 million shillings – was underwritten by Ecobank. Corporate entities, churches, and institutions purchased tables, and individuals purchased tickets at 100,000/= to participate in the celebration.

WBS and NTV television stations broadcast the programme live from 7.30 – 9 p.m. that night. MTN provided high-speed broadband internet connectivity in order to broadcast the event live on the internet for international friends and partners to participate.

A 20-minute multi-media presentation highlighted the wide range of the Archbishop’s ministry and travels throughout the entire country.

Guests were invited to pledge financial support for the Archbishop’s vision for the next five years and to express areas of interest in active partnership. Approximately 40 million shillings was pledged and more than 60 people returned cards indicating partnership interest in these five areas: • Northern Uganda resettlement programme • Training church leaders • Evangelism and Archbishop’s pastoral travels • Empowering youth against HIV/AIDS • Archbishop’s outreach to the corporate community

Guest of Honour, Retired Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi-Nkoyoyo, said that the “church impacts all aspects of society,” which is why all sectors of the society were gathered at the function. “The church is a key stakeholder in the development of our nation.” He thanked the current Archbishop, Henry Luke Orombi, for “keeping the flag flying high since my handover.” He also thanked him for continuing to use him and involve him in the life of the church and encouraged all Bishops in the to view retired Bishops and clergy as assets in the church’s ministry.

Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi’s speech, punctuated by frequent applause, was divided into three parts. He began by highlighting four ways in which the Old Testament Patriarch Joseph was successful. He was a Dreamer. “It is hard to maintain your dream if you are a coward. Joseph was bold in sharing his dream, and it was very costly for him.”

Joseph was a “successful slave.” “Even as a slave, Joseph prospered and he made Potiphar prosper,” the Archbishop said. “Many of you are making Uganda prosper.” Joseph was also a “successful prisoner,” because it was in prison that Joseph the Dreamer became Joseph the Interpreter.

Finally, Joseph was a “successful leader.” He went from prisoner to Prime Minister. He became a Saviour to his family because he was able to forgive. “In Uganda,” Archbishop Henry said, “we have a deep need for forgiveness.”

The second section of the Archbishop’s remarks focused on the things he has seen God do in his first five years as Archbishop. • At the time of his enthronement, he received conflict in the church, focused in Muhabura, North Mbale, and Masindi-Kitara Dioceses. Now there is peace. • As the Archbishop, he is the Chief Shepherd to the church. He has visited 27 of the 32 dioceses, from Kotido to Kisoro, from Arua to Sebei. • There has been a significant turnover of Bishops in the first five years. He has consecrated 13 new bishops, and five more will be consecrated in 2009. God is raising up new leaders. • Former Archbishop Nkoyoyo built the Archbishop’s Palace; Archbishop Henry has overseen the completion of the renovation and expansion of the national headquarters of the Church of Uganda on Namirembe Hill. Likewise, there has been stability in the financial contributions of dioceses to the province. • God has stirred the hearts of young people. For example, in January, West Ankole Diocese held a youth convention, planning to host 1,000 young people in the Cathedral. When 6,000 youth showed up for the convention, they rushed to put up tents outdoors, and collect sauce pans and food to accommodate the surge of interest. • His first act as Archbishop was to visit Northern and Northeastern Uganda to provide encouragement to whole populations of people who have suffered enormously because of conflict. The Archbishop said it was a “heart-rending” experience to see 60,000 people displaced and suffering because of the lack of basic necessities and human rights. • He has also seen Uganda become well-known in the global as a voice for historic and Biblical faith. “We are known as a Bible-believing Church.”

The final section of the Archbishop’s remarks outlined his priorities for the final five years in office, and invited guests to partner with him and the Church of Uganda to see these dreams come to fruition.

• Church House will be completed. The cost is USD 15 million. “This is God’s project,” he said. • The Decade of Mission. He sees a church in which the fire of revival is rekindled and the church is sent out, proclaiming the Gospel far, deep, and wide. He appealed to guests for a vehicle that would be designed to accommodate a stage and PA system for his frequent visits to Dioceses for preaching. • HIV/AIDS. In the recent past, the Church of Uganda had received USD 15 million from USAID to treat, care for, and prevent HIV/AIDS. The church was recently awarded USD 30 million to carry on this ministry of reaching out and bringing love and compassion to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. • The Crusade against Human Sacrifice. Referring to the previous day’s launch of the 40-day Prayer and Fasting Campaign against Human Sacrifice, Archbishop Henry said, “Human sacrifice is a stench in the nostrils of God.” He appealed to WBS and NTV to join him and the church in this crusade.

Professor Emmanuel Mutebile, Governor of the Bank of Uganda, presented Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi with a framed copy of the Citation of Congratulations that was read at the function by the Provincial Secretary, Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye.