It was fun and merry at All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala as the Mothers’ Union and Christian Women members from the central dioceses of the Church of Uganda bade farewell to their president, Lay Canon Dr. Ruth Senyonyi.
Dr. Senyonyi is set to retire from the presidency position early next year.
During the farewell service, Rt. Rev. Dr. Hannington Mutebi the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala thanked Dr. Senyonyi for her hard work and, resilience during her tenure.
“Today is a day with mixed feelings. It is a day of celebration for our sister and friend. Ruth, you should not take it for granted that you are finishing well. It has been God all through,” Bishop Mutebi said.
Rev. Anthony Kamukama, the Kampala Diocese Mission Coordinator thanked Dr. Senyonyi for being a unique leader, especially to the women.
Rev. Kamukama
“We are glad that we are here to see one of us finish well. She has been available to offer unique leadership in the Church of Uganda,” Rev. Kamukama said, and acknowledged Dr. John Senyonyi for supporting his wife on this journey. He requested Dr. Senyonyi to continue mentoring the women, girls, and the nation at large.
He however challenged Mothers’ Union members to use their influence in church and other public spaces to talk against vices like corruption, nepotism, and sectarianism.
In her speech, an emotional Dr. Senyonyi thanked God for the opportunity to serve and lead her fellow women in the Church of Uganda for 8 years.
“I don’t know why today I am emotional; nevertheless, I thank God for such an opportunity to serve His people. I thank my husband, all Mothers’ Union leaders and all of you for supporting me through it all.”
Quoting Joshua 23, Dr. Senyonyi asked the congregants to always strive to align their wills to God’s will because He has perfect plans for all. “Do not go against what God wants you to do,” she said, adding that she had refused the call of God to serve in Mothers’ Union, but God had good plans for her to work and finish well.
In the farewell service, Ruth was escorted by the husband, Rev Canon Dr. John Senyonyi, her mother Mama Kauma, daughter Sarah Nsubuga and the Mothers’ Union leaders from the seven dioceses that make Central Uganda-Church of Uganda, namely: Namirembe, Mityana, Luwero, Central Buganda, West Buganda, Mukono, and Diocese of Kampala that hosted the event.