Pastor Bitamazire Nicholas Birigwa, an academic at Bugema University has been elected as Executive Secretary of The Uganda Union Mission. The Communications Director of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Uganda, Pastor Rogers Kaggwa announced the news following the end year meeting of the General Conference for East-Central Africa Division (comprised of 11 countries, including Uganda) held on 30th, October in Nairobi, the Headquarters. Pastor Bitamazire joins Elder Kiggundu Frank, the Executive Treasurer and Pr. Dr. Maka Moses Ndimukika, the Executive President or Archbishop of the church in Uganda, to make the triune leadership model complete at the pinnacle of the church in the country. This universal and representative model typified from the doctrine of ‘trinity’ exists at the General Conference for the world church headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland USA, and is exemplified at the division, union and conference or field levels. Uganda Union Mission, where Pr. Bitamazire will next serve, superintends one conference (in the central) and eight fields. The position of the Executive Secretary earlier attended by Pr. Bagambe William fell vacant when he was transferred to serve as Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration) at Bugema University; the only denomination’s church founded chartered institution for higher learning in the country.
The Nairobi meeting also resulted in the election of Elder Kibura Eleaser as the Associate Treasurer at the division, replacing Elder Yohannes Olana Beyene who was elected as Treasurer for the division in the October meeting at Silver Spring, to replace Pastor Jerome Habimana. Elder Kibura has for several years served as the Associate Treasurer for Uganda Union, and his appointment is effective 1st January, 2024 while that of Pr. Bitamazire takes immediate effect. The Executive Secretary has a major responsibility in the co-administration and management of the Union Mission, including developing and implementing strategic plans for fulfilling the mission of the church in collaboration with the other Union officers and departmental directors.
Pr. Bitamazire is a scientist and theologian having studied Physics and Mathematics at Makerere University before enrolling for Theology at Bugema University, and graduating with masters at Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS), in Philippines. Currently, he is a doctoral candidate studying biblical languages (PhD) at Adventist University of Africa in Nairobi. He has taught at Bugema Adventist Secondary School, engaged in literature evangelism in Norway, served as Chaplain at Makerere University and as associate district leader for Kampala A. At the time of his election, Pr. Bitamazire has been a lecturer and researcher based at Bugema University, School of Theology and Religious Studies. He is married to shepherdess Engineer Rachael Nakibuuka Bitamazire, with whom they have five children.
May God’s blessings continue to attend His church through the ministration of the leaders He has graced to lead. “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding” Jeremiah 3: 15.
Reported By Hezron Kirabo Rwanga, For Educounsel News
