After its founding in 1877 by the Church Missionary Society, the Church of the Province of Uganda grew through the evangelization of Africans by Africans. The first Ugandan clergy were ordained in 1893. The Province of Uganda has grown since then from seventeen to twenty-seven dioceses in a geographical area of 241,000 square kilometers and an estimated population of 24,000,000. The Uganda Communion serves 6,700,000 persons.
Upon becoming Primate, Archbishop Livingstone Nkoyoyo set his mind to establishing Uganda Christian University on the site of Bishop Tucker Theological College, the Church's oldest theological seminary in Mukono (where he had previously served as bishop). In 1997, the Church established Uganda Christian University, and Archbishop Nkoyoyo became the first Chancellor, the nominal head of the University. His support was vital for the building up this institution, the first chartered private university in the history of Uganda.
In an Open letter from Church of the Province of Uganda to Presiding Bishop Griswold on December 18, 2003, the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda wrote: “For many years, the Church of Uganda has enjoyed a wonderful partnership with the Episcopal Church in the USA. . . Sadly, that relationship ended when the General Convention chose to ignore cries from the rest of the Anglican Communion. You officially recognized same-sex unions the Bible forbids, and installed as candidate for bishop someone the Bible clearly shows to be in an unsuitable lifestyle. . . . the Church of Uganda has recognized your departure from the faith and declared: The Church of the Province of Uganda (Anglican) cuts her relationship and Communion with the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA).”
An estimated 250,000 people were killed in Uganda during Idi Amin’s eight-year rule (1972-80), many faithful Christians among them. The Most Rev. Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, Archbishop of the Province of Uganda lived through this ordeal.
What is it like to profess Christ in a country whose recent history is riddled with civil wars, and where horrendous human rights violations and religious persecution have been commonplace? Uganda is such a country ---a place so beautiful it was once called the “Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill. Yet, it has suffered lasting damage from the despotic rule of Amin in the 1970s. After decades of government mismanagement and political skullduggery, news reports say the people of Uganda are rebuilding their country.
Attribute: The Central Florida Episcopalian by Judy Delsanter
The gospel of Jesus Christ is not for sale, even among the poorest of us who have no money. Eternal life, obedience to Jesus Christ, and conforming to his Word are more important.
In 2001 we founded the organization “Chain Foundation” with me as chairman. Right now the organization is looking after 106 abandoned, former street children both boys and girls commonly known as Orphans and Vulnerable Children. The children are of varying ages ranging from 3-17 years.
All the children looked after by Chain Foundation attend school, some are in primary section and other in secondary section. They are given regular counseling as a way of rehabilitating and making them responsible citizens.
The Chain Foundation has in place an income generating project. Through contributions it has acquired 1000 plastic chairs and five large tents. We need at least 2000 more chairs and 10 additional tents. There is also a use for 60 tables. Due to import taxes and distance of shipping, the plastic chairs are expensive. Each chair costs $10, tables $80 each and each tent is $2,400.
Our program rents out the tents, chairs and tables for all sorts of government, social and celebration events. The children set up the tents on weekends, place the tables and chairs and often serve foods to the participants. In this manner they learn responsibilities and earn a small amount of money for themselves. As a matter of fact we have managed to pay medical bills for the children, electricity, food, scholastic materials, house mothers and a monthly allowance, etc.
The street children as well as adults in Uganda have been vulnerable to STDs especially HIV/AIDS. One reason for this is that there has not been an adequate supply of disposable syringes. Unfortunately, it is not usual that a syringe is used, boiled in water and reused for 10 or more persons, spreading the STDs. The same is true of treatment for malaria, which is all too common in Uganda. It is objective to promote physical / health awareness among abandoned children and families.
There are some 2,000,000 orphaned children in Uganda. Before it was a matter of family members and friends taking on the care of orphaned children. But now there are just too many and the orphaned are abandoned and on the streets.
Archbishop Livingstone was called to be a lay Christian leader in 1964, then served as priest and bishop during much of Uganda’s most tumultuous recent past. Elected the sixth Archbishop of the Province in 1994, he presides(d) over the Anglican Church in Uganda, which boasts a membership of 6,700,000. (Rev. Livingstone is recently retired.)
About Uganda
official name: Republic of Uganda
capital: Kampala
population: 24 million
independence: from Britain in 1962
languages: English (official), Ganda or Luganda and other Niger-Congo languages
religions: Protestant 33%, Catholic 33%, Muslim 16%, traditional African 18%
The Chain Foundation is an advocate for child rights. It caters to children at a tender age whose parents are in prisons. All too often the parents have ended up as “prisoners of circumstance”, rather than criminal intent.
We promote agriculture and farming skills among the children and general community. The programme needs cows and poultry for is sustainability. Coupled with is registering children in schools, paying the school fees and carry out school visits and follow ups. Sponsorship for the children costs $30 per month for school fees.
Father John Naumann, Rector of St. Stephen's Parish acknowledges the religious and humanitarian work of Livingstone as Deacon Cynthia Seddon looks on. The Most Reverend Nkoyoyo is recently retired as Bishop of Kempala and Archlbishop of the Church of Uganda. Asked about his “retirement” plans, he stated he will continue in his efforts of support and organization for the Chain Organization. His wife
Archbishop Nkoyoyo was the invited guest of the Diocese of Montana in April. During his say he spoke at the Diocesan Clergy Conference at Camp Marshall, Flathead Lake, Montana. He visited with church groups in eastern and western Montana answering questions of himself and about the Church Province of Uganda. (Billings Gazette Article)
