Nebbi, Uganda – The Rt. Rev. Dr. Constantine Rupiny was consecrated and enthroned as the 5th Bishop of Nebbi Catholic Diocese on Saturday, February 22, 2025, in a grand ceremony at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral in Nebbi District.
The event was presided over by the Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, the Most Rev. Raphael P’Mony Wokorach.
Nebbi Diocese had been vacant since March 22, 2024, following the appointment of Archbishop Wokorach as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Gulu.
Wokorach, who served as the ordinary of Nebbi for nearly three years, had also been the apostolic administrator of the diocese until Rupiny’s appointment.
Vice President and Katakwi District Woman MP, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, represented President Yoweri Museveni at the ceremony.
In his message, Museveni congratulated Bishop Rupiny and urged him to preach love, unity, and hard work to foster development.
He emphasized the importance of government livelihood programs in fighting poverty and bringing people into the money economy.
Museveni also recognized the church’s role in shaping societal morals and supporting development through faith-based education and health services.
He assured the faithful of the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across Uganda. As a gesture of support, the Vice President handed over a brand-new Toyota Model 2024 to Bishop Rupiny for official duties.
Archbishop Wokorach, in his homily, cautioned against divisive politics and urged the new bishop to stand firm in his faith and leadership.
He encouraged the people to work towards eradicating poverty, which remains a major challenge in many communities.
Born on November 10, 1974, in Parombo, Nebbi Diocese, Bishop Rupiny pursued his priestly formation at Uganda Martyrs National Major Seminary, Alokolum (1996-1999) and St. Mary’s National Major Seminary, Ggaba (2000-2004).
He was ordained a priest on August 28, 2004 and served as parish vicar of Kango (2004-2005) before becoming the first African parish priest of St. Daniel Comboni Parish in Akanyo (2005-2007).
Bishop Rupiny furthered his education with a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome (2009-2011) and a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology from Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Poland (2018-2022).
His research focused on Alur customary marriage in relation to the Catholic sacrament of marriage, reflecting his dedication to integrating theology with cultural context.
He held various roles in the church, including formator and professor at Uganda Martyrs National Major Seminary, Alokolum, vice president of the Priest Council of Nebbi (2017-2018), vice rector of the seminary (January-September 2023) and rector of the same institution since September 2023.
Established 28 years ago, Nebbi Diocese evolved from the Gulu Apostolic Vicariate, which dates back to 1923.
The diocese’s roots lie in the missionary efforts of the Comboni Fathers, catechists, and local leaders who nurtured the faith among the Alur community.
Past bishops of Nebbi Diocese include Archbishop Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, Rt. Rev. Sanctus Lino Wanok (2011-2018), Rt. Rev. Martin Luluga (1988-2011) and the first bishop, Rt. Rev. John Baptist Odama.