Roman Catholic Diocese of Kotido

Diocese of Kotido

Dioecesis Kotidoensis
Location
Country Uganda
MetropolitanRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo
Statistics
Area14,775 km2 (5,705 sq mi)
Population
  • Total
  • Catholics
  • (as of 2004)
  • 283,640
  • 130,150 (45.9%)
Information
DenominationRoman Catholic
Sui iuris churchLatin Church
RiteRoman Rite
Current leadership
PopeLeo XIV
BishopDominic Eibu
SuffraganRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Tororo
Map
Website
http://www.kotidocatholicdiocese.org/

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kotido (Latin: Diocese of Kotidoensis) is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of Tororo in Uganda, covering Kotido, Kaabong, Karenga, and Abim districts in the Karamoja sub-region.[1] Erected on May 20, 1991, by Pope John Paul II, it was separated from the Diocese of Moroto and operates under the Dicastery for Evangelization.[2] The Good Shepherd Cathedral in Kotido, consecrated in 2014, serves as its principal church.[3] It is governed by Bishop Dominic Eibu , MCCI.

History

The diocese was established on May 20, 1991, from the Diocese of Moroto, which had encompassed Karamoja since its creation in 1965.[4] Catholic evangelization in the region began in 1933 with Comboni Missionaries, initially under the Apostolic Prefecture of Gulu.[5] Covering 13,550 square kilometers, the diocese borders South Sudan, Kenya’s Turkana region, and Ugandan districts like Lira and Pader, serving a predominantly Karamojong population.[6]

Bishops

Since its erection, Kotido has had three residential bishops.[2] Denis Kiwanuka Lote, the first bishop, served from August 18, 1991, to June 27, 2007, when he was appointed Archbishop of Tororo.[7] Giuseppe Filippi, M.C.C.J., an Italian Comboni Missionary, led from December 19, 2009, to October 25, 2022, retiring at age 77.[8] Dominic Eibu, M.C.C.J., appointed on October 25, 2022, and installed on January 14, 2023, is the current bishop.[9]

Parishes

The diocese comprises 10 parishes, serving as centers for worship and community activities.[6] The Good Shepherd Cathedral Parish in Kotido is the principal parish, with others spread across Kaabong, Karenga, and Abim districts, though specific names like Our Lady of Lourdes (Abim) or St. Joseph (Panyangara) lack official confirmation.[1] These parishes support evangelization and social services in a region with 216,589 Catholics (39.6% of 553,800 residents, 2025).[6]

Pastoral Activities

Kotido Diocese supports 30 priests (20 diocesan, 10 religious), 43 religious (11 brothers, 32 sisters), and 6 seminarians, fostering education, healthcare, and catechesis.[6] Caritas Kotido, its charitable arm, delivers sustainable programs addressing poverty, hunger, and insecurity, empowering local communities.[12] Religious communities, including the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate and Mill Hill Missionaries, enhance pastoral outreach through schools and health centers.[1]

Challenges

The diocese operates amidst Karamoja’s challenges, including cattle rustling, inter-ethnic conflicts (Karamojong-Teso), and food insecurity.[13] Bishop Eibu promotes peace through traditional “Akiriket” gatherings, fostering reconciliation and Teso-Karamoja dialogue.[14] High illiteracy and climate-driven hunger complicate evangelization, with Caritas advocating for agricultural resilience.[12]

Statistics

In 2021, the diocese had 202,380 baptized people out of a population of 536,042, corresponding to 37.8% of the total.

Year Population Priests Deacons Religious Parishes
  baptised total % number secular regular baptised
per priest 		  men women  
1999 101.558 234.000 43,4 22 6 16 4.616 21 26 9
2000 107.000 234.000 45,7 23 9 14 4.652 18 24 9
2001 110.907 241.000 46,0 21 8 13 5.281 17 26 9
2002 114.232 259.629 44,0 23 10 13 4.966 16 24 9
2003 117.647 602.003 19,5 22 12 10 5.347 13 25 9
2004 130.150 283.640 45,9 21 11 10 6.197 13 30 9
2007 130.475 305.000 42,3 20 10 10 6.523 12 32 9
2013 173.460 383.000 45,3 25 16 9 6.938 11 34 10
2016 169.215 460.418 36,8 24 15 9 7.050 9 36 10
2019 193.010 499.442 38,6 30 18 12 6.433 13 32 10
2021 202.380 536.042 37,8 27 18 9 7.495 9 31 10

Bibliography

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c https://www.uecon.org/diocese/kotido-diocese
  2. ^ a b "Kotido (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]".
  3. ^ https://www.combonimissionaries.org/uganda/kotido-diocese-history
  4. ^ https://www.ugandamartyrsshrine.org.ug/kotido/
  5. ^ https://www.uecon.org/kotido-diocese
  6. ^ a b c d "Diocese of Kotido, Uganda".
  7. ^ "UGANDA: Bishop Dominic Eibu Installed as Third Bishop of Kotido Diocese". communications.amecea.org. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  8. ^ "Kotido Diocese Gets New Bishop". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  9. ^ "Rev. Father Eibu installed new Bishop of Kotido Catholic Diocese". 15 January 2023.
  10. ^ Bishop Giuseppe Filippi Installed as Bishop of Kotido on December 21, 2009
  11. ^ "Kotido Diocese receives new Bishop". Kalisho. 25 October 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2022-10-25.
  12. ^ a b "Caritas Kotido – Caritas Kotido Diocese". caritaskotido.org. Archived from the original on 2023-01-10. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  13. ^ "Starving residents flee Kotido in search of food". Monitor. 2025-04-06. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  14. ^ "Kotido Diocese gets new bishop". The Independent Uganda. 2022-10-26. Retrieved 2025-06-18.

Sources

3°00′48″N 34°07′03″E / 3.0134°N 34.1174°E / 3.0134; 34.1174

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