The man who helped bring the Bible closer to the Bagisu through its translation into Lumasaba has been elected the ninth Bishop of Mbale Diocese, placing him at the helm of one of the oldest Anglican dioceses in eastern Uganda.
The House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda elected Rev Canon Eridad Milton Shissa last Friday, October 30, during a meeting at Syamalede Archdeaconry headquarters in Busia District, Bukedi Diocese.
He will be consecrated and enthroned on January 24, 2027, at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Mbale, succeeding the Rt Rev John Wilson Nandaah, who is retiring upon attaining the mandatory age of 65.
Canon Shissa is among the clergy credited with contributing to the translation of the Bible into Lumasaba, a development that has enabled Christians in Bugisu to read and understand scripture in their mother tongue.
His involvement in the translation project, coupled with his fluency in Lumasaba preaching, has earned him recognition among Christians, particularly in rural congregations across the diocese.
Mr Moses Kigayi Wamoto, a former Resident District Commissioner of Napak District, said Canon Shissa’s contribution to the Church extended beyond his pastoral responsibilities.
‘Many of us knew him for many good deeds, but his greatest contribution has been helping, with a few others, to translate the Bible into our language,’ he told Daily Monitor.
Mr Wamoto said the incoming Bishop was taking over a diocese that needed a leader who understood both scripture and the communities he would serve, stretching from Bududa and Manafwa to Mbale.
Canon Shissa, 58, was born on September 30, 1968, in Buloli Village, Bududa District, to Mr George Wilson Namawondo and the late Loyce, both lay leaders in the Church.
He was the sixth of nine children and grew up in a family with strong Christian foundations.
His journey in Church ministry began in 1989 when he started serving as a lay leader (Omubulizi) at Buluckeke Parish in Buluckeke Archdeaconry, Bududa District.
He later committed his life to Christ and was ordained deacon in 1996 before becoming a priest in 1997.
‘I have seen the hand of God greatly in my life as far as ministry is concerned, as far as marriage is concerned and as far as my social life is concerned,’ he said.
Canon Shissa attended Bududa Secondary School for his O-Level education and Bulucheke Secondary School for A-Level before joining Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology in Mukono, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Theology.
He later joined Makerere University, obtaining a postgraduate diploma in education, before pursuing a master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at Uganda Christian University.
Throughout his ministry, he has served in several leadership positions, including as vicar, sub-dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral and diocesan secretary.
He served as sub-dean between 2021 and 2024 before taking up the position of diocesan secretary. He subsequently returned to the cathedral, where he currently serves as Sub-Dean.
Speaking shortly after his election, Canon Shissa described his appointment as an unexpected opportunity that he attributed to God’s guidance.
‘We thank God for this particular opportunity. We got news about God’s own choosing, God’s own doing. We appreciate God in humility because it is something none of us really expected, but God’s doing is God’s doing,’ he said.
Canon Shissa pledged to work with the clergy and laity to preach the gospel, promote reconciliation and support socio-economic development in communities across Bugisu. His election has also raised expectations among Christians, who want the new leadership to consolidate unity and sustain development projects started by the outgoing Bishop.
Rev Dr Juliet Wabwire, the assistant vicar at St Andrew’s Cathedral, described Canon Shissa as an intelligent, careful and development-oriented leader capable of building on his predecessor’s achievements.
‘We know he is going to carry on with what Bishop Nandaah started for the development of Mbale Diocese,’ Rev Dr Juliet Wabwiresaid.
However, she urged Christians to put aside divisions arising from the election and rally behind the incoming Bishop.
‘Once someone becomes a Bishop, there will be people on the other side, but we pray that Christians come together and support the new leadership,’ she said.
Mr Herbert Weboya, a Synod member at St Andrew’s Cathedral, said Christians expected the new bishop to strengthen unity, accelerate development and expand the Church’s influence across the diocese. He also highlighted Canon Shissa’s contribution to spreading the gospel through the Lumasaba Bible translation.
Mr Benon Andrew Khaukha, a Christian from Buluckeke Archdeaconry in Bududa District, welcomed the election, saying Christians would pray for the incoming bishop as he prepares to assume office.
‘As someone who comes from Bududa, where the ninth bishop comes from, I am very happy. We are going to pray for God’s blessings upon his ministry as he prepares to take on the mantle next year,’ he said.
Mr James Elly Makholo said the new bishop would need to sustain key diocesan projects, including the Church of Uganda Hospital, and pursue the recovery of Church land currently occupied by Mbale Garage.
He also commended Bishop Nandaah for grooming Church leaders, promoting reconciliation and strengthening relations among Christians and clergy.
Mbale Diocese was established in 1961 and comprises nine archdeaconries and one deanery. It has been led by eight bishops, including Lucian Usher-Wilson, Erisa Masaba, John Wasikye, Akisoferi Wesonga, Samwiri Wabulakha and Patrick Gidudu.
His church ministry
– 1989: Began ministry as a lay leader (Omubulizi) at Buluckeke Parish, Bududa.
-1996: Ordained deacon.
-1997: Ordained priest.
-Served as a vicar in Mbale Diocese.
-Served as Sub-Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Mbale
-Served as Diocesan Secretary
-Currently serves as Sub-Dean of St Andrew’s Cathedral