The former Church of Uganda Kumi Diocese Priest Rev. Charles Okunya Oode has been named the first Bishop of the Reformed Anglican Church for the Upper Nile Diocese.

His appointment to helm of the Bishop was confirmed by the Archbishop of the Reformed Anglican Church Most Rev Prof. Jonathan Kyangasha while speaking to our reporter on Friday Morning.

According to Kyangasha the office of the Archbishop and the college of Bishops of the church met in secret on Thursday May 05, 2022 and did elect Rev’d Charles Okunya Oode.

Bishop Elect Rev. Okunya will be consecrated on Sunday June 26, 2022 at the Reformed Anglican Church in Kumi town Council at 10:00AM.

“To all the Faithful in Christ Jesus, Peace and Apostolic Benediction. We, the Archbishop and the college of Bishops of this Church met in the secret consistory and did elect our brother in Christ Rev. Charles Okunya Oode to be the Bishop of Upper Nile Diocese in accordance with the constitution and canons of the Reformed Anglican Church, Province of Uganda,” Kyangasha said.

The former Church of Uganda Kumi Diocese Priest installation as Second Bishop of Kumi in 2020 failed, decided to leave the church in what he has termed as a forced move by a section of wealthy Kumi Diocese laity.

Since 2020, Kumi Diocese split into two with Rev. Okunya controlling at least six (06) out of the 10 archdeaconaries. The standoff then escalated when Rev. Michael Okwii Esakan was announced by the House of Bishops as the new Bishop.

Rev. Charles Okunya Oode in early April tendered his resignation as both a priest and the appointment as Director of Education Services in Kumi Diocese to the newly installed Bishop Michael Okwii Esakan.