By Eriah Lule
On February 26th, 2022, a historic event took place at Bishop Senior Secondary School Mukono’s playground as Rev. Canon Enos Kitto Kagodo was installed as the fifth Bishop of Mukono Diocese. The occasion was witnessed by thousands of believers who were present to witness the transition of power from the outgoing bishop, Rt. Rev. James William Ssebagala, who had reached the retirement age of 65 the previous year.
During the installation ceremony, Ssebagala formally handed over the crosier (an apostolic staff) and the provincial staff (a symbol of spiritual authority) to his successor and officially relinquished his position as Bishop of Mukono. The Chancellor of Mukono Diocese, Damalie Nagitta, declared the position vacant.
Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu then handed the crosier to Kagodo, after which he took his oath as the elected bishop. Over 20 bishops from different dioceses in the country joined Kagodo in the oath-taking ceremony. The event was graced by the Vice President of Uganda, H.E. Jessica Alupo, as well as officials from the Buganda government and leaders in different capacities.
In his inaugural statement as bishop, Kagodo prioritized the preaching of the gospel as his main agenda as well issued a warning to land grabbers to refrain from encroaching on church land.
Furthermore, Bishop Kagodo implored Associate Professor Aaron Mushengyezi, the Vice Chancellor of Uganda University, to explore opportunities for collaboration in projects, innovations, and research aimed at championing the well-being of the community. He emphasized the importance of working together to serve the needs of the community and expressed his hope that such collaborations would bring about positive change and impact.
Growing up in a God-fearing community, Kagodo grew fond of church ministry in Namuyenje, his home village.
Kagodo developed a strong affinity for church ministry while growing up in his God-fearing community. His passion for youth leadership and event mobilization was particularly evident, and these became his preferred areas of involvement.
One fateful afternoon, Ven. Rev. Bogere Kabuka, the Canon of Nakibizzi Parish, called upon Kagodo to preach to the believers in Nakosi Village. The previous priest had resigned, and the upcoming Pentecostal Sunday required someone to share. He helped Kagodo organise material for the service.
“I was well received by the believers since they knew me very well, I preached, and they liked the sermon,” he said. “The following Sunday, the priest as well asked me to still give a hand, which I did.”
Despite his chubby, light-skinned face and soft voice, Kagodo was coerced into becoming a priest, which intrigued him sacrificing his burgeoning political career. He had previously served as the Local Council One Chairman (LC 1) of Nangwa Village in Mukono District and was also employed at the Coffee Marketing Board in the Printery Section, both of which he had to give up.
He took on the mantle, became the church’s priest without any theological training for 3 years, and even started a school from nursery to primary 4. He had no idea that word of his work had already reached the diocese.
He was called for an interview, and looking at his young family, Rt. Rev. Michael Senyimba, the Bishop of Mukono at the time, told him to study education in spite of being a senior four dropout with a strong passion for education.
Despite the Bishop’s decision, the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Canon Matovu, later Bishop of Central Buganda Diocese, was delighted with his good work. Matovu insisted that he study theology.
Kagodo went to Nakanyonyi Theological College in 1996–1997; he was ordained as a deacon and posted in Namasiga. Given his expertise, he was called to try and minister to a church in Naminya that the diocese had resolved to close down.
“They gave it one last chance, and it was given to me; I didn’t refuse, but I was advised not to be the last priest in that church,” he said. “I decided to give it all, given I had the support of my wife and the diocese, which I served for four years.”
Kagodo started the Health Department at the Diocese after graduating with a Diploma in Health Administration from Uganda Christian University in 2008-2009 and a degree in the same course from 2011-2014. He is currently a board member of Church of Uganda Mukono Hospital.
In 2010, he became the Vicar of the Diocese and was later posted to the Archdeaconry of Lugazi for 2 years. He was again posted to the Seeta Archdeaconry for 3 years. In 2017, he became a Canon, and in 2019, he was appointed as the Provost of Mukono Cathedral.
According to Kagodo, when he was in Lugazi as the first Archdeacon, he got multiple clergy who approached him twice to express his interest as a bishop, which he failed to do and didn’t even have a postgraduate degree, which was a requirement.
Through the counsel of Rev. Canon Assoc. Prof. Nassaka Olivia Bbanja, the former Dean of Education and Theology at UCU, Kagodo started studying his Masters of Divinity.
He was elected as a bishop in January 2023, not long after graduating in October 2022.
“God gave me a chance to start as a follower, and he helped me pass through all stages of church leadership to becoming a bishop,” he said.
Kagodo’s main focus is preaching the gospel and defending the institution of marriage, which has come under increasing attack.He confirms that he has married 60 couples and has a dream of attaining 200 couples before he retires.
In the diocese’s 39 years of existence, it has had 4 bishops; Former Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo was the first Bishop of the Diocese in 1983-1995; he was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Michael Senyimba in 1995–2002; he was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Eria Paul Luzinda in 2002–2010; he was succeeded by Rt. Rev. James Ssebagala in 2010–2022; and he has been succeeded by Rt. Rev. Enos Kitto Kagodo in 2023.
Kagodo competed with Venerable Ssengendo William, the Archdeacon of Nassuti Archdeaconry, and Kagodo emerged successful.
According to Catherine Namuddu Kagodo’s wife, her major emphasis will be on lobbying and the empowerment of women’s projects in the diocese. This won’t only develop a vibrant church but will also transform the community.
“Women are always at the center of everything; their empowerment means a lot to the church,” she said. “My emphasis is to see Mukono Diocese women become a model for Church of Uganda women all over the country.”
Kagodo was born in Nakisunga Sub County, Mukono District, to the late Paul Kalule Kagodo and Ruth Kibirige. He is the youngest of their ten children. Unfortunately, Kagodo lost his father at an early age when he was the Chairman of the Uganda Freedom Movement, a rebel group during H.E. Dr. Milton Obote’s second reign in the 1980s.
Kagodo has been married to Catherine Namuddu Kitto for 28 years, and together they have seven children.
