Northern Uganda Diocese plans Shs1.4 billion new Cathedral

What the report says

The Northern Uganda Diocese of the Church of Uganda plans to build a new cathedral in Gulu City to ease overcrowding and give worshippers more space, while keeping its current St. Philip’s Cathedral intact. According to The Independent Uganda, the proposed 1,700-seater project is budgeted at about Shs1.4 billion and will rise on diocesan land a short distance from the century-old cathedral in Bardege-Layibi Division.

Bishop Godfrey Loum said the diocesan synod recently approved the project. He said construction could start before the end of this year and take roughly four years, but the Diocese is still waiting for remaining planning approvals from Gulu City authorities and for soil test results before moving ahead. The architectural design has already been completed. The main hall is planned to hold about 1,400 people, with a gallery adding to the total capacity.

The Diocese initially considered expanding the old cathedral, but decided against altering a building it regards as historically and culturally important. St. Philip’s Cathedral was built in 1913 and is among the Church of Uganda’s notable landmarks in Northern Uganda. The new cathedral will therefore be developed alongside, rather than in place of, the existing structure.

Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu supported that approach and presided over a groundbreaking ceremony during a recent visit to the Diocese. He urged Christians to back the project as a shared church effort. The Diocese says it will fund part of the cost itself and seek additional support from Christians, partners and well-wishers. More broadly, the project reflects the Diocese’s growth in recent years, including an increase in local churches, according to the article.