Catholic leaders and political officials have praised Arua Bishop Sabino Odoki for his unifying leadership and contribution to development in Northern Uganda as he marked two decades of episcopal service.
Arua Catholic Bishop Sabino Odoki has marked 20 years of episcopal service, with church leaders and political officials praising his contribution to community development and unity in Northern Uganda.
The celebrations were held at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Ediofe, Arua City, on October 24, 2026, attracting religious leaders from different denominations, local government officials and other dignitaries.
Gulu District LC5 Chairperson Justin Obol Simpleman credited Odoki with helping shape his life after he lost his parents at the age of three.
“I am the testimony. My parents were murdered when I was three years old. He picked me up and journeyed with me, and today I am the LC5 chairperson of Gulu District,” Obol said.
Arua City Mayor Lawrence Alionzi Dangote also praised the bishop's leadership, calling on the Church to use its influence to help address poverty and illiteracy.
“I am inviting the Church to lend us its voice, which is extremely loud, in the fight against poverty and illiteracy,” Dangote said.
The new Apostolic Nuncio to Uganda, Archbishop Tomasz Grysa, blessed Odoki during the celebrations and conveyed greetings from Pope Leo XIV.
“I convey to you also the closeness of His Holiness, the Holy Father,” Grysa said, adding that Uganda remained close to the Pope's heart.
The ceremony was attended by several senior religious leaders, including Archbishop Emeritus John Baptist Odama and the Anglican Bishop of Madi and West Nile.
Odoki thanked those who attended and called for continued support for the Church's development work, particularly the construction of an elders' home in the Arua Diocese.
“I welcome you and thank you for giving your time to be here to thank God together and also to pray for me and the Church,” he said.
President Museveni was represented by Second Deputy Prime Minister Crispus Kiyonga, who read a message congratulating the bishop on his service to the Church.
Kiyonga also urged Christians to follow the example of Jesus Christ, whom he described as having earned his living through carpentry.
He called on people in West Nile to embrace wealth creation through commercial agriculture, industry, services and information and communication technology, in line with Museveni's message on economic transformation.
The celebrations were crowned by a performance from Bwola dancers from Gulu, who paid tribute to the bishop's service to the Church and the people of Northern Uganda.
