Pastor Patience Rwabwogo was on Sunday, August 23, 2026, consecrated as an Episcopal Bishop of Covenant Nations Church (CNC), marking a significant milestone in her two-decade journey of ministry and drawing a distinguished congregation of dignitaries, clergy, and thousands of worshippers.
The consecration was held at the CNC Maya Campus in Kyengera Town Council, Wakiso District, in the presence of President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni, who attended the ceremony as Patience’s parents and as leaders of Uganda.
President Museveni and the First Lady arrived early and began the proceedings by laying a foundation stone for the new Maya CNC Campus, as the congregation broke into the renowned East African renewal hymn, Tukutendereza Yesu. Bishop Dr LaDonna Osborn, clad in full liturgical vestments, presided over the anointing of the new church site, marking the first religious ceremony at the location.
Among the special guests was renowned Nigerian preacher Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and his wife, Folu Adeboye. Vice President Jessica Alupo, NRM National Vice Chairperson Moses Kigongo, ministers, security chiefs including Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba, diplomats, and other religious leaders were also in attendance.
The consecration service reached its peak shortly after 2:00 pm when Bishop Osborn called Pastor Patience forward for the episcopal dedication. Drawing her message from Luke 4:8-21, Osborn charged the new bishop to fully embrace the responsibility of proclaiming Christ, strengthening the Church, and advancing God’s kingdom.
Before the formal consecration, CNC elders, led by Allen Kagina, presented their affirmation of Pastor Patience’s calling and suitability for episcopal ministry. They recalled how the church began about 20 years ago as a small house fellowship.
“Twenty years ago, God planted in her heart a vision that began humbly as a small house fellowship. What appeared small in the eyes of men carried within it the seed of a much greater work,” Kagina said.
The elders said that under Pastor Patience’s leadership, CNC had become a spiritual home teaching believers to demonstrate the character of Christ in their families, professions, and nation. They commended her commitment to young people, her efforts to promote unity across denominational boundaries, and her work through initiatives like the Light Up Uganda for Jesus Gospel Mission.
The ordination involved a series of symbolic acts marking Pastor Patience’s transition into episcopal leadership:
- The clergy garment represented the authority to teach God’s word with clarity
- A pectoral cross was presented as a reminder of the authority flowing from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ
- A ring was presented as a symbol of covenant faithfulness to Christ and His Church
- The Episcopal coat was described as a sign of “covering and shepherding love”
- An episcopal insignia was presented as a symbol of spiritual leadership and vision
- A pastoral staff was presented, symbolising her responsibility as a shepherd over the flock of God
“In the name of Jesus Christ, by the authority of the call of God in your life, we consecrate you. We set you apart, Patience,” Osborn declared.
Bishop Osborn also recognised President Museveni and the First Lady, thanking them for attending and praising them as leaders who understood the importance of putting God first.
Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, who described himself as a spiritual father to Pastor Patience, congratulated her on the milestone. He emphasised the discipline and responsibility required of episcopal ministry, noting that becoming a bishop was not a matter of prestige but a serious calling requiring commitment and discipline. Adeboye also stressed that episcopal leadership was open to those called by God, regardless of gender, and challenged Ugandans to embrace faith as a force for national transformation.
For Pastor Patience, who traces her Christian journey to the age of 11, the consecration represents both continuity and a new beginning. She described it as a call to greater responsibility rather than a pursuit of status.
“I never sought this office. For me, this consecration is not about status or recognition. It is about greater responsibility, deeper consecration and a higher level of service,” she said.
The ceremony marked the culmination of a journey that began when the late evangelist Dr Daisy Washburn Osborn gave her the first Bible she ever owned and planted “the seed of salvation” in her heart. Her journey eventually led to the founding of CNC as a small house fellowship, which has since developed into a growing ministry with congregations, outreach programmes, and a broader vision extending beyond Uganda.
The consecration of Pastor Patience Rwabwogo as Bishop of Covenant Nations Church represents not only a significant milestone for the church but also a powerful symbol of faith, dedication, and the transformative power of answering God’s call.
