From the Daily Monitor

The 46-year-old Bishop Samuel Gidudu of North Mbale Diocese was consecrated on November 16, 2014 at St Matthew’s Cathedral, Buhugu in Sironko District. The father of three, who is married to Ms Esther Gidudu, spoke about growing up amid wealth and then getting lost in a vice which nearly cost him his calling.

Q: Bishop Gidudu, how did you feel when you heard you were the bishop-elect of North Mbale Diocese?
A: (Laughs). At first, I thought the person who called to give the information was fooling me but I later asked myself, “Why should I be a doubting Thomas?” I composed myself and prayed about it and from then on, I started receiving calls from all over the country congratulating me upon the election.
I was actually humbled by the election. I believe that it is the amazing love and grace of God that I was appointed to be the next shepherd of the Christians of North Mbale Diocese.

Q: Tell us more about your background
A: I was born in 1968 to Mr Elisa Bwairisa and Ms Kerenuka Nadunga. I went to P.1 in 1978 at Bulambuli Primary School before joining Bukonde Secondary School for S1 in 1984. I sat for Senior Four in 1987 but could not continue after that.

Q: Why couldn’t you continue after that?
A: I was born in a wealthy but illiterate family. We had a lot of coffee, matooke and cows which my father banked on and refused to pay my school fees, saying why continue going to school when there is a lot of wealth to inherit? Education to my parents was not a priority.

When I was circumcised in 1988, my father gave me a share of the family property and advised me to get married. Being a young man, I joined peer groups, sold the coffee and matooke which was in abundance and then drank myself silly with the proceeds. By 1990, I was a drunkard.

Read the full article at http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/Life/He-ditched-the-bottle-to-answer-the-altar-call/-/689856/2554910/-/si5u7sz/-/index.html