Msgr. Severus Jjumba has been consecrated as the new Bishop of Masaka Diocese following the resignation of his Lordship Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa who attained the retirement age of 75 years.

On April 16, Pope Francis has appointed Rev. Msgr. Severus Jjumba the new Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Masaka. His appointment was announced by Archbishop Luigi Bianco, the Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda. Until his appointment, Rev. Msgr. Jjumba was serving as Vicar General for Masaka Diocese. He replaces Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa, who resigned

The ceremony was led by the outgoing Bishop Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa at the arena grounds of Kitovu in Masaka District. Bishop Kaggwa lauded everyone who has contributed to the thriving of Catholic Church and easing his work as the Bishop of Masaka.

“I thank you Msgr. Severus Jjumba for accepting and taking up the responsibility of leading Masaka diocese and I wish you a fruitful service.” He said during the service.

Speaking after concretion, Msgr. Severus Jjumba, applauded all believers who prayed for him as he served the God under the leadership of Bishop Kaggwa and encouraged them to continue praying for him even after being consecrated as the bishop of Masaka diocese.

“May your weakness be turned into strength, may your pride be conquered to serve the living God,” he recited the prayer and encourages believers to always go and hang their problems at the newly placed Cross at the arena grounds of Kitovu.

“It was my dream to get a corner at this ground where people would kneel for payers before during and after football games. This cross is the center of everything,” he said

He lauded his predecessor for commendable services to onwards lifting masaza diocese and implored Msgr. Severus Jjumba to work towards causing change in the society and fulfilling the work of God.

In his message delivered by Katikkiro Charles Mayiga, Kabaka Ronald Mutebi, appreciated him for taking up the responsibility of leading the church. “If others bishops managed to led, you too can lead beyond your expectations.” He said.

“I want to thank Bishop Kaggwa for the role you have played in protecting the environment, human rights and always stepping in to advices on a number of government programs,”

He called on him to step-up on the bill that is yet to be introduced to license coffee farmers in the country, “much as we need value addition, we need laws that support the development of the country and elevation of people from poverty,”

Rev. Msgr. Severus Jjumba was born on July 2, 1962 in Katinnyondo-Kyannamukaaka, Masaka and was ordained a priest on June 20, 1992. He was the Formator and treasurer at Bukalasa Minor Seminary between 1993 and 2000. In 2000, he was appointed as the treasurer of the Catholic Diocese of Masaka, serving in that capacity until 2014. From 2014 until 2019, he was the Vicar General of Masaka Diocese.

The board of Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) has sacked the Executive Director Jolly Kamukira Kaguhangire, ending her tenure at the promotion agency.

Kaguhangire’s four years’ contract was terminated a year after her interdiction on accounts of findings of a select committee which implicated her of abuse of office, incompetence, gross insubordination, irregular recruitment and concealment.

The others are misinformation and lying to the board as well causing gross financial loss to government by unjustifiably closing the investment offices at Kampala Investment and Business Park, Namanve.

According to Dr Emily Kugonza, the board chairperson, the position has since been advertised for competent and qualified individuals to occupy.

“Recruitment process should be concluded by September for the new Director-General in tandem with the new law which re-designated all government Executive Director Positions to Director Generals in February this year.” He said

HE said, Kaguhangire’s case has since been handed to responsible government agency to recover funds she is accused of misappropriating.

In May, the Inspectorate of Government ordered the new board of the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) to sack six staff who were recruited as investment executives in disregard of required qualifications. According to the whistleblower, the six employees were recruited during the reign of the former Executive Director of UIA Jolly Kamuhangire.

Those that must face the axe included Mark Wagubala, Simon Paul Ngabo, Kara Tanya Komuhangi, Alice Ndagire, Adam Mutebi and Ida Dean Rwego.

According to the job description, investment executives (IEs) needed to have studied obtained a degree in Commerce, Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship or a related course. However, the six staff lined for sacking respectively possess degrees in ; Quantity Surveying, MBA, Social Science, Business Computing, Procurement and Supplies Chains Management, Law and International Relations.

The Deputy Inspector of Government, Mariam F. Wangadya, also said the board should consider reviewing the appointments of Mr Mark Wagubala, Mr Simon Paul Ngabo, Ms Kara Tanya Komuhangi, Ms Alice Ndagire, Mr Adam Mutebi and Ms Ida Dean Rwego who did not have requisite qualifications but were interviewed and appointed as IEs.

In a February 6, letter copied to State Minister Privatization and Investment, Mr Kasaija said effective April 1, 2019 the entire board would be terminated following the presidential assent to the new Investment Act.

“The purpose of this letter is to request you to bring to the attention of members of the board that following the enactment of the new investment law, their membership has been terminated and a new board appointed,” the letter, which was also copied to the UIA chairman and the acting executive director, reads the letter in part.

President Museveni on February 20 assented to the Investment Code Act 2019, which in essence put in place new measures leading to the dissolution of the UIA board. The code in part seeks to reduce the number of UIA board members from the current 13 to seven.