Bukedi Diocese, one of the 39 dioceses of the Province of the Church of Uganda, recently held its annual Youth, Children, and Students Conference. The week-long conference began on Tuesday, 10th December, and ended on Sunday, 15th December 2024. It was hosted at Papoli Primary School, where Papoli Church of Uganda is located, in Papoli Parish, West Budama South Archdeaconry. The conference theme was derived from Romans 12:2: *“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
A total of 1,121 registered youths attended the conference, housed at Papoli Primary School and Papoli Christian Primary School. The total attendance is estimated to have been around 1,600, including unregistered youths from the area. The participants came from the districts of Tororo, Busia, Butaleja, Budaka, Butebo, Kibuku, and Pallisa, which form Bukedi Diocese. Currently, the diocese has 15 archdeaconries and 122 parishes.
How the Bukedi Diocese Annual Youth Conference Unfolded
Day One: Tuesday, 10th December 2024
The first day began with the arrival of youths from various archdeaconries, both near and far. Upon arrival, registration was conducted at the gate, and sleeping arrangements were made. Many groups arrived singing praise songs, with vibrant energy and anticipation for the days ahead.
Day Two: Wednesday, 11th December 2024
The second day kicked off with Morning Glory from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM. Official remarks were then delivered by Ven. Rev. Paul Masaba Wamboko, the Education, Children, and Youth Coordinator, and the host archdeacon, Ven. Rev. Stephen Sinyo Kasisa of West Budama South Archdeaconry.
The day featured facilitation sessions, including a presentation by Mr. Samuel Were Eruba, a tutor from Butaleja, and another by a speaker from Off Tu Mission, an NGO founded in 1997 to evangelize young people. Archdeaconry presentations, such as one by Agule Archdeaconry, added to the day’s activities. The evening concluded with sports and a talent show.
Day Three: Thursday, 12th December 2024
The third day of Bukedi Diocese Annual Youth Conference was packed with enriching sessions. Dr. Kasada Gonza spoke on youth enterprise projects, encouraging participants to engage in income-generating activities. Mr. Musa Amoolo addressed family relationships, emphasizing the importance of harmonious interactions with parents. Dr. Mary Kakoro then discussed the challenges posed by LGBTQ issues.
Rev. Samson Andrew Aide of St. Peter’s Cathedral, Tororo, facilitated a session on conflict resolution and management, sharing strategies for handling disputes effectively. Mr. Owori Erienza, a renowned educator, inspired the youths with a talk on the importance of having a vision, working towards it, and achieving it.
Day Four of Bukedi Diocese Annual Youth Conference : Friday, 13th December 2024
On the fourth day, Ven. Can. Barnabas Muniala addressed the topic of peer pressure, using his life experiences to illustrate its effects—both positive and negative. He concluded with a call to action, urging the youths to surround themselves with positive influences.
Mr. Kasereka led a session on defending the faith, encouraging the participants to remain steadfast in their Christian beliefs. Mr. David Owino, an administrator at Busitema University, provided thought-provoking insights on overcoming life challenges.
Mrs. Teddy Makola, the Tororo District Municipal Education Officer, gave a detailed presentation on courtship and marriage, emphasizing the need for youths to study their prospective partners before committing to marriage.
Throughout the day, presentations in the form of songs, skits, and comedy were delivered by various archdeaconries. A standout performance was a skit by youths from Samia and West Budama. The evening featured a bible quiz facilitated by Off Tu Mission, with participants receiving Luganda Bibles as prizes.
Day Five: Saturday, 14th December 2024
The penultimate day focused on skilling sessions, where the youths were taught how to make jelly, shampoo, liquid soap, and bags. The hands-on sessions targeted top leaders from each archdeaconry, who were expected to share their knowledge upon returning to their communities.
Uncle Julius delivered a compelling presentation on decency, urging the youths to be modest in speech, actions, appearance, and behavior. He highlighted the consequences of indecent living and the advantages of a decent lifestyle.
The Bishop’s Hour during Bukedi Diocese Annual Youth Conference
The third Bishop of Bukedi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Samuel George Bogere Egesa, arrived amidst ululations and welcome songs by West Budama youths. The Diocesan Youth Chairperson, Mr. Jaloli Moses Obbo, read the youth memorandum, and Ven. Rev. Paul Masaba Wamboko made brief remarks before inviting the Bishop to address the gathering.
The Bishop announced plans for dividing Bukedi Diocese into three dioceses: North Bukedi, South Bukedi, and the current Bukedi Diocese. He expressed disappointment at the low attenda”ce from some archdeaconries and urged greater participation in future conferences.
He also announced that the 2025 Annual Youth Conference would be hosted by Samia Bugwe Central Archdeaconry and encouraged early preparations. The Bishop’s sermon focused on characteristics of a transformed life, including faith, humility, maturity, perseverance, exemplary conduct, and love. He concluded by commissioning the youths to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Day Six: Sunday, 15th December 2024
The final day saw many archdeaconries leaving early for their destinations, while nearby groups attended the closing service before departing.