In 2002, the Rt. Rev. Zebedee Kahangwa-Masereka founded the Bishop Masereka Christian Foundation and the Bishop Masereka Medical Centre in 2005. Since then he has served as the foundation’s executive director and the medical centre’s chairman. Bishop Masereka was consecrated first Diocesan Bishop of the new Diocese of South Rwenzori in 1984 and retired in July 2003. In addition to spiritual ministries, he has been involved in several major social programs while working in South Rwenzori:
- Construction of several bridges in rural hard to reach areas of the district.
- Construction of eight health units in remote rural areas.
- Construction of seven schools in various places in the district.
- Construction of woodlots at local congregations
- Habitat for Humanity, Uganda. Bishop Masereka was the first Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1988-91.
- Solar energy.He helped to introduce the solar project in Uganda with Bishop Alden Hathaway
- Bishop Masereka helped to introduce the Orphans’ education programme in South Rwenzori Diocese before retirement, now with 3,000 children and establishment of Messiah Radio in Kasese.
- Bishop Masereka also served as chairman of the Church of Uganda Refuge Committee, from 1989-91, chairman of Eastern Africa Church Army College, Nairobi, Kenya, from, 1989-92 and chairman of the Uganda Christian University Council, 1997-2000.
- Since 2004 he has served as national chairman of the Uganda Network of Religious Leaders Living With Or Affected by HIV/AIDS (UNERELA). Since 2009 he has served as chairperson of the International Network of Religious Leaders Living With or Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA). He also has been chairman of the Pan African Christian AIDS Network, Uganda Chapter (PACNET).
Focus on Education
Bishop Masereka was a teacher at Kitalikbi Primary School from 1966-68, before being ordained in 1972 as a deacon and posted at Bukuku Parish as vicar, and Bulera Primary School as teacher. He was ordained a priest in December 1973 and was posted at Mbarara High School in Ankole Diocese as teacher and chaplain, from 1973-75. He was deployed as a teacher and chaplain of Nyakasura School in the Rwenzori Diocese from 1976-78.
Bishop Masereka then was deployed to found and head a new secondary school, Maddox Secondary School in the Rwenzori Diocese, where he served from 1979-80.
After he continued his education at the School of Theology at the University of the South, in Sewanee, Tenn., USA, from 1980-83, where he received a Master of Divinity degree, Bishop Masereka was deployed as dean of St. John’s Cathedral and Archdeacon of Kabarole, in Rwenzori Diocese, in 1983-84.
Bishop Masereka attended Canon Apolo Teachers’ Training College in Nyakasura in 1963-65, where he earned a Grade Two Teachers’ Certificate. He later attended Bishop Tucker Theological College, in Mukono (now called Uganda Christian University), in 1969-72, where he received a Certificate in Theology and Diploma in Theology of Makerere University, Kampala. He also attended National Teachers’ College in Kyambogo (now called Kyambogo University) from 1974-76, where he earned a Diploma in Education of Makerere, University, Kampala.
In addition to the University of the South, he attended the Overseas Ministries Study Centre, in New Haven, Conn., in 1990-91, where he earned a Post-Graduate Certificate in Missions.
Bishop Masereka attended Kighali (now called Kabingo) Primary School in 1954-55, Bwera (now called Kitalikibi) Primary School in 1956-57, Katwe Primary School in 1958 and Kitalikibi Primary School in 1959-60. He attended Bwera Junior Secondary School in 1961-1962, where he received a Junior Leaving Certificate.
Bishop Masereka was born on June 27, 1943, to Mr. and Mrs. Kahangwa Kule of the Basu clan. His home village is Busalya, in Munkunyu sub-county, Kasese District, Uganda. He married Stella Masereka. They have four children: Jocelyn Kunihira, Alice Kisembo, Joy Mugabi, and Timothy Atuhaire, and four grandchildren: Dan Kahangwa, Matthew Bangirana, Philip Bangirana and Beverley Ramsey.