KAMPALA – Mbarara Archdiocese has set June 20, 2020 as the date for the installation of the Archbishop-elect Lambert Bainomugisha.
According to outgoing Archbishop Paul Bakyenga, in line with the rules of the church, the new Archbishop has to officially assume duties of the church at least within two months of being appointed.
Archbishop Bakyenga said that the ongoing lockdown over coronavirus has disrupted the installation plan, saying that he is not yet sure how many guests will attend the function given the ongoing restrictions on social gatherings.
Nevertheless, he said after the installation, they will choose another day to officially welcome the new Archbishop, especially when the social gathering restrictions are lifted.
Pope Francis on April 25, 2020 appointed Bainomugisha the new Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese.
The Most Rev. Bainomugisha, who has been serving as the auxiliary Bishop of Mbarara, takes over from Archbishop Bakyenga who is retiring.
Archbishop Bainomugisha was appointed assistant to Archbishop Bakyenga by Pope Benedict XVI on 2 July 2005.
Archbishop Bainomugisha was born 12 July 1961 in the then diocese of Mbarara. He studied in his own country and in Canada obtaining a PhD in Canon Law at St Paul University Ottowa. He was ordained a priest on 13 July 1991 then ministered for a few years in parishes, before going to Canada to complete his studies.
Before being appointed Bishop, he was chancellor of the diocese and chaplain at the general House of the Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel and a community of Poor Clares.
The Archdiocese of Mbarara, created in 1999, has four suffrigan dioceses of – Kabale, Kasese, Fort Portal and Hoima.