Know The Profile Of Karamoja Diocese
In 1976, the greater Soroti Diocese which by then covered Teso and Karamoja sub-regions gave birth to its first child, the present day Karamoja Diocese. The service for the inauguration and consecration of the Diocese was led by the then Archbishop of the Province of the Church of Uganda, the Late, Archbishop Janani Luwum, who was murdered shortly after this event.
The first bishop of Karamoja Diocese was an Irish National but not long after he took office, he was deported to his motherland by the then President Idi Amin Dada during the Economic War. The diocese has now seen four generations of Bishops.
As the missionaries were preaching the Gospel, the Good News was extended to this region in 1929 by the Bible Church Men’s Society, a missionary group which had their establishment in the present day Napak District. The first church, school and hospital were all set up in this place.
Karamoja Diocese covers five districts out of the eight that form Karamoja sub region, with the Diocesan headquarters in Moroto district. The diocese has are eight Archdeaconries, 23 Parishes, and many Sub-parishes.
One of the major economic activities in the region is farming but many residents look after cattle. Karamoja region is infamous for cattle rustling, with the rustlers often raiding the neighboring districts such as Agago and Kitgum. This has caused a burden to the church.
Much as the early missionaries constructed schools as a way of spreading civilization in the region, the rate of school dropouts is high. This is partly attributed to the harsh climatic conditions as the headteacher of the only traditional girls’ school explains.
Karamoja often experiences bouts of insecurity and is hard-to reach area but this has not stopped the clergy from preaching the word of God and reaching out to the communities.
As a diocese which belongs to the Eastern Cluster who are the lead organizers of this years’ 3rd June Martyrs day at the Anglican site in Namugongo, Karamoja Diocese is ready and prepared for the day and they have called upon all people to come and witness as they showcase the uniqueness of their region and culture.
