Minister tells bishop to apologise to residents

Prof Ephraim Kamuntu speaks to journalists at the Ankole Western University Project in Sheema District at the weekend. PHOTO BY ZADOCK AMANYISA.  

In Summary

Institutional matters. Prof Ephraim Kamuntu accuses Bishop Katoneene of making mistakes in regards to Ankole university.

SHEEMA. The minister of Water and Environment, Prof Ephraim Kamuntu, has asked West Ankole diocese Bishop Yona Mwesigwa Katoneene to repent and seek forgiveness from the people of Sheema District.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service for Ankole Western Institute of Science and Technology/ Ankole Western University Project (AWIST/AWUP) held at the campus on Saturday, Prof Kamuntu said the cleric needs to seek clemency for the mistakes and wrongs the diocese.

“The bishop knew what he was doing was wrong. Even bishops make wrong decisions and it is normal, but the problem comes when they fail to realise the mistakes made and seek pardon. A mistake remains a mistake regardless of who you are, even when you are a bishop,” Prof Kamuntu, also a former Institute/University council chairperson, said.

According to Prof Kamuntu, who is also the NRM flag bearer for Sheema South MP seat, Bishop Katoneene made wrong decisions, including transferring the institute from Kabwohe (Sheema) to Katungu in Bushenyi, putting in place small committees to change resolutions made in a transparent way, and running the diocese using unconstitutional diocesan council and tribunal so as to satisfy his interests.
Health minister Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, who heads the Friends of AWIST/AWUP Association, lauded the stakeholders for their contribution towards resurrecting the institute, which he said had died in the hands of “wrong people”.

Efforts to get a comment from Bishop Katoneene were futile as his known phones were unavailable. However, the bishop has at different occasions rubbished the move by the two ministers to solve matters at the institute, saying they should respect the resolutions of the diocesan council.
Bishop Katoneene has also maintained that whatever he has been doing is in accordance with his designated role as a fountain of honour at the institute, and therefore should not be witch-hunted for implementing the resolutions.

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