21.10.2019

UEM council recently met in Bukoba

The last UEM Council meeting hosted by the North West Diocese (NWD) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) took place from 15^th to 19^th September 2019 at the ELCT Bukoba Hotel. Bishop Dr Abednego Keshomshahara of the NWD Diocese and UEM vice Moderator welcomed the UEM Council members from Asia Germany, Africa, UEM staff and about 100 invitees who attended the cultural evening. The Bishop stressed that it was a rare opportunity for the North Western Diocese to host such high level UEM event. The church prepared a cultural evening so that people know each other before the council meeting starts, that people may eat, drink and dance together. Besides the church introduced to UEM guests the community’s culture in parts. It has been improvised the Haya African Traditional house where people could see how ancestors in the region lived. Songs and traditional dances were prepared so that UEM guests may have a glance at the African Haya Culture and enjoy the evening.

Bishop Dr Keshomshahara stressed that the church was thankful to UEM for her support to the community in matters pertaining to diakonia, evangelism, partnership, development, advocacy and training and empowerment. The North Western Diocese is committed to owning UEM through their contributions which eventually benefit all NWD members even more than what they contribute. They are also proud of owning UEM through their active participation to various UEM programmes. The Church is proud of the internationalization of UEM since 1996 whereby all members participate equally in the UEM leadership and decision making processes. The NWD has started to prepare for the 25^th Jubilee of Internationalization of UEM planned to be celebrated in 2021. Some buildings will mark the 25^th Anniversary like the new wing of the ELCT Bukoba Hotel. Choirs will prepare songs that explain the UEM work to the church and community.

On the behalf of the UEM Moderator, Rev Willem Simarmata who could not be present, the UEM vice Moderator, the Rev Dr Ulrich Möller, shared the UEM greetings and thankfulness to the NWD and her members for the kind hospitality extended to UEM guests. The UEM General Secretary, the Rev Volker Martin Dally, presented a UEM gift to the NWD. It is made of a historical documentation of a long standing commitment of the NWD to UEM. Rev Volker Martin Dally quoted a missionary who said that “Bukoba is a place where light of evangelisation started”. As confirmed by Bishop Dr Keshomshahara, this was inspiring the NWD members to feel proud and energised for God's mission.

Finally, the Bishop introduced and thanked the Kagera Regional Commissioner, Brigadier General Marco Gaguti, who came to participate to this cultural evening and meet the UEM guests. The Bishop was thankful to the government of Tanzania for the cooperation with the church in offering social services to the Tanzanians, particularly the people of Kagera region with regard to health and education services. The government was also thanked for ensuring the community with security as the region is peaceful and harmonious. Such cooperation will remain indelible and unforgettable in people’s memories of Kagera region.                                                                                                                                    

“I wish you a peaceful and successful stay in Bukoba, let the breezes of Lake Victoria cool you when there will be warm temperatures as the region enjoys the altitude of 1,400 meters above the sea level, hence experiencing a friendly weather” concluded Bishop Dr Keshomshahara.

At the end, each one of the guests was given a gift which will be a sign of remembering their coming and stay in Bukoba, Tanzania.

Rev Dr John Wesley Kabango, UEM Africa Executive Secretary