2018 Uganda-South Sudan Annual Conference

Aug. 17-19, Gulu, Uganda

Enthusiasm rocked the second session of the Uganda-South Sudan Annual Conference. For the first time, United Methodists gathered in Gulu in the Gulu District in Northern Uganda.

The Rev. Solomon Obita, district superintendent, said he couldn't believe his eyes, adding that there were ululations and jubilation from local United Methodist members who turned up in large numbers to witness this rare historic event.

The 2018 annual conference theme was "Revive Us Again" and indeed the entire Gulu town was revived again from Aug. 17-19.

The annual conference was presided over by Bishop Daniel Wandabula, the resident bishop of the East Africa Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church, which has four annual conferences.

In his opening remarks, Wandabula welcomed the delegates and briefly shared about the theme for the conference. 

He said that revival means to flourish anew, to cause to live again and to regain life. "The new always brings excitement and motivation and that is why the Psalmist was desperate in his prayer for God to revive us again (Psalm 85:6)."

He said that when you are revived, you become invigorated and refreshed. "There is renewed vigor to pursue the fullness of your purpose and to make an impact here on earth as you make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."

The bishop noted at the second session of the annual conference that there were some issues that needed the conference to critically see how they can come up with policies to deal with them.  He talked about the embargo that was placed on the East Africa Episcopal Area and how it had greatly affected many of the ministries in East Africa. 

Since 2012, both the United Methodist Board Global Ministries — the denomination's mission agency — has suspended mission funds to Wandabula's office. The General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination's finance agency, has also urged that all church entities halt funding through the East Africa bishop's office. The moves stem from three unfavorable audits from April 2011 to June 2012 that raised questions of how the office used more than $757,000 in church funds.

Wandabula said that despite the embargo, the East Africa Episcopal Area has continued being faithful to the Great Commission. Because of God's faithfulness and the area's obedience to the Gospel, he said, the area has witnessed considerable growth in membership, and spiritual maturity continues to prevail in terms of missions, connections and projects as well as other deserving ministries that touch directly to humanity.

The bishop expressed gratitude to Wespath, the United Methodist pension and benefits agency, which has already begun paying the 59 beneficiaries from Uganda South Sudan. He encouraged the active pastors to begin saving 5 percent from their monthly salary for their pension.

The annual conference was also graced by a guest preacher and speaker the Rev. Ted Smith, a district superintendent from the Virginia Conference. Smith reminded the congregation that in order to have revival, they must turn to God. "We need to read his word. These words are in the Holy Bible."

He further emphasized, that Jesus is our "Reviver," and we should know him as Our Lord and Savior. "We need to forgive those who offend us in order to be revived again."

He reminded graduates of the United Methodist Bible College in Mukono, Uganda, to always remember that they are United Methodists. They should always read the Bible and the Book of Discipline. He urged them to continue pursuing further theological studies and cautioned them from challenging the bishop in public but to be good examples with good Christian morals.

The United Methodist Bible College was then rebranded United Methodist Theological College, and it graduated three students with diplomas in Bible and Theology.

The college principal Micheal Ssekandi declared the 26 students who are currently enrolled for Theological Training for the 2018-19 academic year.

He further called upon members to apply and study as this would enhance on the church growth in East Africa.

The Rev. Carol Alois Ososo, dean of the college, and David Barasam, treasurer and conference secretary of the Kenya-Ethiopia Conference, also were among the guests.

Ososo preached during the memorial service, while Barasam taught more on the importance of record keeping and historical information as ways of good stewardship for a health ministry and leadership.

The annual conference celebrated ordination of seven elders, 17 provisional elders and two deacons.

There conference also elected a new United Methodist Women president, Joyce Jaka from South Sudan, and vice president, Nasoyo Milly.

A total of 113 pastors also were appointed to serve in their designated churches in 2018-2019.

The conference passed a resolution to petition to ask the Judicial Council, the denomination's top court two questions:

a.) Is it legal that agencies withhold funds from the East Africa episcopal office because the funds were designated for various projects in the area?

b.) In the review of financial accountability documents, does it justify the suspension of East Africa funds?

The conference also resolved to write to all partners, friends and agencies, conferences, local churches for a roundtable meeting in seeking to end the embargo.

Membership stands at 20,473 in 2017, up 2,088 from 2016.

Worship attendance is 53,295, down 265 from 2016.

The 2019 annual conference session will be held in Jinja District, Uganda, Sept. 12-14.

— Benjamin Musasizi, communications officer for the Uganda-South Sudan Annual Conference, and Wilton T.A. Odongo, East Africa communicator.