The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda His Grace Stanly Ntagali has asked Ugandans to emulate the Late Rev. Dr. Festo Kivengere, one of the celebrated revivalists and former Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi.
Ntagali described Bishop Kivengere as a humble but courageous leader who stood firmly against injustices. This he said was the reason he had to flee from the highhanded Amin regime.
Archbishop Ntagali was on Sunday speaking at the 28th memorial service for Bishop Kivengere and his wife Canon Merab Kivengere, at St. Peters Cathedral Rugarama.
Bishop Kivengere was the first native Bishop of Kigezi who was consecrated in 1972, replacing Bishop Richard Lyth.
In 1973 he fled to neighboring Kenya after he became critical of the dictatorial government of president Idi Amin who had just murdered Archbishop Janan luwum.
He returned in 1980s and continued serving as the Bishop of Kigezi until he died in 1988 of leukemia.
At the event, Ntagali attacked the promoters of homosexuality, accusing them of destroying the virtues of society and trying to wipe out marriage and family.
Charity and Joy, the daughters of the late Bishop Kivengere
“It’s a shame that the grand children of the Europeans who brought us religion through the Church Missionary Society are the ones now fighting the Bible, calling it an ancient book,” he said.
Just like the Africans needed the revival in the late 19th century, Ntagali said Europe and other developed nations now need similar revival as that which happened in the Kigezi region.
The Archbishop also called on government to investigate reports that homosexuality has penetrated primary schools in Uganda with the help of disguising donors.
The memorial service was attended by Kivengere’s two daughters Joy Kivengere and Charity Kivengere, Bishops Dr William Rukirande who succeed him and Rt. Rev. George Katwesigye who was succeeded by Rt. Rev. George Bagamuhunda the current bishop of the diocese of Kigezi.
Also in attendance was Bishop Emeritus of North Kivu in the DRC Rt. Rev. Enock Kayeye.