The Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, Raphael p’Mony Wokorach, has commissioned a church built by chief justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo.
Construction of St Matthew’s Chapel began in 2024 in Lukwangole Parish, Patongo sub-county, Agago district. It was built in honour of Dollo’s parents, the late Mzee Kasimiro Ongom, who passed away in 1996, and the late Mego Paulina Angom, who passed away in 2012.
The colorful ceremony, held on Sunday, attracted hundreds of faithful, local leaders, judiciary members, and dignitaries from across Uganda. The church, located in the village of Kal Aloi, Owiny-Dollo’s ancestral home stands as a powerful symbol of faith and gratitude.
In his remarks during the blessing, Wokorach praised Owiny-Dollo for his generosity and commitment to preserving spiritual values through this monumental act. He stated that the church’s construction marks the beginning of a spiritual journey for the community. He urged the congregation to make good use of the church to become better people.
“Let us build our society. Let us build our church. Let us give hope to our people,” Wokorach said. He further emphasized that Christianity serves as the foundation for peace, justice, and harmony, and that the church building allows people to celebrate on earth while preparing for eternal life.
Owiny-Dollo explained that the church represents the fulfilment of a promise he made to honour his parents, who raised him with strong Christian values despite hardships. Martin Nyeko, a chorister at the church, praised Owiny-Dollo for the gesture, highlighting that the community had previously prayed in a classroom or under a tree.
He expressed hope that more Christians would attend services now that there is a proper church building.
“When there is no proper church building, many people avoid church because of the rain and sunshine. I believe this new church will encourage more people to come and pray,” Nyeko said.
Martina Lamaji, Owiny-Dollo’s sister, thanked the chief justice for the new church, noting that many people had to walk over 4 kilometers to Patongo Catholic Parish to attend services. She pointed out that some older members of the community could no longer make the journey.
“Those who used to be ardent churchgoers are now old and can’t walk to Patongo. Some people stopped attending church altogether, which denied them the benefits of fellowship,” Lamaji said.
She recalled how their mother loved praying, even when she could no longer attend church. Lamaji said that the idea of building the church in her memory came from the chief justice and the family, who unanimously agreed to the plan.
Denis Ongaya Oyugi, the engineer who oversaw the construction of St. Matthew’s Chapel, assured attendees that the building was of high quality and could last for 500 years. Oyugi appealed to financially blessed individuals to invest in building churches in their communities to guide future generations.
“Being close to God teaches us to live moral lives and prevents us from straying. Children who grow up in the Lord live peaceful lives, and parents who are close to God handle disputes better,” Oyugi said.
There are too many churches already. I wish someone with money who wishes to contribute to the community would build a hospital how small it is or a community clinic.
But did the CJ OD single-handedly put up this Church?
If so and except out of some miraculous circumstance (a JIFFY): before and/or during his term of Office as a Judge/Judicial Officer and the current CJ; how much
does/did the CJ earn (save) in order to single-handedly put such a would be Holy Place in just one ONE YEAR (from 2024 which month God knows)?
Just asking because, the Deputy Speaker, the doubting Thomas Tayeebwa did it. And also Hon Sam Kuteesa also did it, and the Speaker, Anita Among in less than one term of Office as Speaker built a Teaching Hospital in her Hometown.
I just hope the sources of funding of these miraculous churches built in a year’s time, by single highly placed public servants, are not dirty.
Otherwise, even the 19th Century born and notorious Chicago Mafia Gangster Boss, Alfonse Capone sic (nicknamed) the Scarface, Snorky, the Big Guy, Big Al, etc. was a generous donor to the church (Catholic).
In other words, when suspected (dirty) money is used to build, Churches, schools, Teaching Hospital, etc. in order to sanitize and/or save dirty faces/images (Corruption); such structures buildings become sacrilegious or corruption/criminal monuments named after the benefactor/s.
Using dirty money to build a church does not go well with God. God does not accept stolen things in his house. Take your stolen money to Satan who will be very happy and will reward you.
Very-very Good! Instead of advocating for lifting of age limits for judicial officers, he should now go back to his village and leave us alone. He is the most useless CJ in Uganda’s history. He can go and have a front-row seat in the church he has built with dirty money.
But do you have proof of “this dirty money” you’re talking about? It’s unwise to assume things without evidence…
Uhuru you have a point about politics for these NRM law educated cadre judges. It seems there is lots of money all over the place for NRM supporters and not anywhere else in this poor African country. The advocacy to remove presidential term limits and age limits has its consequences well marked out! The country has massive debts and every term of 5 years this long serving NRM government organises republican governance on rigged, violent national elections that are extremely biased and highly expensive. With modern digital communications in place all over the world, Christian solidarity can be well done effectively and cheaply online in poverty striken communities in desolate regions of Africa like Acholi land. It is unfortunate in these modern times, that the very rich universal catholic church in its belief continues in its old colonial fashions of building magnificent religious buildings that are able to last 500 years and to let live the poor Christian Africans to habitate in small temporary households of wattle and daub, and grass thatched, unhealthy homes for many years and counting!
I wonder he feels driving driving through all the huts and bush that characterize most areas in northern uganda to this unholy edifice of a church.
I saw Hon Joy Kabatsi saying Kuteesa’s church in Sembabule was built by Tororo cement on the behest of Kuteesa. I hope the same thing is not happening here.