The House of Bishops sitting in Mukono has elected Rev. Can. Godfrey Mbitse as the 3rd Bishop of Muhabura Diocese.
Mbitse’s election on Saturday comes after Rt. Rev. Cranmer Mugisha voluntarily sought early retirement.
According to a statement from the Church of Uganda, the bishop-elect will be consecrated and enthroned on April 2, 2023, at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Seseme in Kisoro district.
“In reflecting on his conversion to Christ, Canon Mbitse said, “My parents were not committed Christians, so I grew up not knowing much about Christ. I was trying to find life in worldly pleasures. After many fellowships and morning devotions in primary and secondary school, I was finally challenged by Matthew 6:33, which says, ‘Seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ That day I committed to live for God instead of seeking worldly pleasures,” the Provincial statement quotes Bishop-elect Mbitse.
Mbitse was born on February 2, 1964, in Ruko village, Nyarubuye sub-county, Kisoro district. He became born again in 1985 while in secondary school.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity from the Bishop Barham University College of Uganda Christian University in 2007, after having successfully been awarded a Diploma in Theology in 1998.
He was ordained a deacon in 1998 and a priest in 1999 in Muhabura Diocese.
Mbitse began ministry in Muhabura Diocese as a youth leader and church teacher. He has been a parish priest since 1998 and has served as an archdeacon since 2009.
Since 2015, he has also served as the diocesan mission coordinator and diocesan head of clergy.
He is married to Anna Mbitse and they have five children and six grandchildren.
Mbitse is to replace Bishop Cranmer Mugisha, who in 2021 sought early retirement. Bishop Mugisha was due to retire in 2024.
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