Foundations of Pallisa & Komolo Church of Uganda

Daily writing prompt

What were your parents doing at your age?

Tomorrow, Saturday, 14th February 2026, The Right Reverend Samuel George Bogere Egesa, the Lord Bishop of Bukedi Diocese of Church of Uganda, shall conduct a pastoral visit to Pallisa Parish of Church of Uganda.

He will be hosted at St. Mark Komolo Church of Uganda, where he will conduct a Service, starting at 9:00 a.m. prompt.

Among the activities:

Lay Foundation Stone for Pallisa Parish Church of Uganda
Lay Foundation Stone for St. Mark Komolo Church of Uganda
Preach the Gospel
Celebrate Holy Communion
Conduct a Confirmation of Baptized Christians

I distinctly recall, decades ago, when I was baptized at Pallisa Parish Church. We were baptized in a group. I remember that we, the girls wore white dresses and the boys, my brothers, wore white suits. The dresses and suits were made by our toto, our mum, Mrs. Betty Anne Apio Owaraga, now widowed.

I recall, how after our baptism service, my parents hosted the reverend and his delegation at their home, our ancestral home, in Kadoki Village in Pallisa, for a celebratory lunch. There was loads of food and drink and the Church Choir sang really beautifully.

So, in answer to today’s daily prompt question:“What were your parents doing at your age,” they raised us within the central logic of Iteso culture, infused with Christianity of the Protestant version.

By the way, both my grandfathers, my paternal and maternal, played a significant role in ushering in and ensuring acceptance of Christianity within the realm of Teso and Bukedi, our homelands.

My paternal grandfather was among those Chiefs who were influenced by and worked within the philosophy and command of the Semei Kakungulu era in Teso and in Bukedi. He was among the ‘enforcer chiefs’ who formed an alliance with missionaries to facilitate the adoption and spread of Christianity.

My maternal grandfather, was a lay reader of Church of Uganda. He was among the few elite Ugandans who were able to read and write. And through him and others, such as he, missionaries assured success of their evangelical work.

CLICK HERE to read Kevin Ward’s “A History of Christianity in Uganda,” published on the “Dictionary of African Christian Biography,” for deeper insights.

It is natural for my parents to be expected to lead by example, as their parents did, and which they did.

Establishment of both churches, Pallisa Parish and St. Mark Komolo, my parents, particularly so my papa, Eng. George William Obityo Owaraga, the Chief of Ikariwok Isekelio Clan of Iteso, now rested, played a significant role.

Whereas, he was not a ‘church-goer’ his mother, she whom I am named after, Ajakait Joyce Mary Alinga, now rested, was. Initially, she trekked the long distance to Pallisa Parish Church every Sunday. In her latter years, it was to the near St. Mark Komolo Church that she went every Sunday.

I am feeling nostalgic remembering the times, as a little girl, I went to church with my namesake. I remember each time, the reverend would include my papa and mention his name in the public prayer for government officials, alongside the President.

I am feeling good that the Right Reverend Egesa, will be the one to lay the foundation stones for both churches. I would feel even better, if the summon he shall give will be similar to those he has giving on “imitating God’s goodness by doing good.”

I especially like the one in which he used the biblical story of “Zacchaeus who climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Jesus over a crowd. Jesus noticed him, calling him down to stay at his house, sparking repentance in Zacchaeus.”

Talking about Uganda today, Right Reverend Egesa, likened to Zacchaeus many in Uganda who have climbed “different kinds of trees,” proverbial trees:

Trees of Conflict
Trees of Injustice
Trees of Envy
Trees of Corruption
Trees of Beating Others with clubs
Trees of Hypocrisy
Trees of Slander
Trees of Hatred
Trees of Unkindness
Trees of Immorality
Trees of Worship of Idols
Trees of Witchcraft
Trees of Jealousy
Trees of Drunkardness

And to all who have climbed whatever tree, “the message, as it was for Zaccheaus, it is for you today. The message is COME DOWN IMMEDIATELY AND REPENT,” Right Reverend Egesa calls.

CLICK HERE to watch and listen to the clip on YouTube of Right Reverend Egesa using the story of Zaccheaus to make a point.

The reason why? Is because, I know for sure that among those actively positioning themselves to be seen by the Bishop and to take advantage of proximity with the Bishop are those who merit the label impostor. Pretending to be who they are not; while in reality they are up those trees listed above.

CLICK HERE to read my blog post “Psalm 146:9 – The LORD Sustains the fatherless …” if you are interested as to why my predisposition to Right Reverend Egesa’s summon using the biblical story of Zaccheaus.

I pray the Bishop publicly calls them out and commands them to come down immediately and repent!