Emeritus Rt. Rev Dr. George Tibesigwa the former bishop of Ankole Diocese has died aged 78. His death was announced by the dean of Ankole diocese Ven Bob's Mwesigye.

"We have received the sad news of the passing of our Emeritus Bishop, however, we await the Bishop Associate Professor Bishop Sheldon Mweigwa to officially communicate the details and the program," he said.

Tibesigwa died on Wednesday afternoon while undergoing treatment at Mayanja Memorial hospital where he had been admitted since the beginning of this week. He had been diagnosed with dementia. Tibesigwa served as the 4th bishop of the Ankole diocese from 2007 until July 2010. He succeeded retired bishop Elisha Kyamugambi.        

At the time of his election, Tibesigwa was serving as the principal of Barham University College in Kabale. Tibesigwa was the first principal to be appointed to Bishop Barhum University, a Kabale-based constituent college of Uganda Christian University.     

His election came to some as a surprise after the House of Bishops had rejected Dr Rev Wilberforce Kamukama and his brother Rev Dr Grace Karamura then nominated to replace Elisha Kyamugambi who was about to retire. 

He took over after Bishop William Magambo was appointed the caretaker by the Most Reverend Henry Luke Orombi, the then archbishop of Uganda. Tibesigwa was consecrated in Mbarara on 2nd September 2007, together with the Rev. John A.M. Guernsey, an American priest then canonically resident in North Kigezi diocese.

He was among the eminent clergy and individuals who tremendously contributed to the transformation of Uganda Christian University. Others in that category include Rev. Can. Yokania Bitashoborokire, Rt. late Rev. Dr. Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, Rt. Rev. Dr. Elisha Kyamugambi late Prof. Enoka Rukare, Rt. Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, late Prof. Emmanuel Mutebire, justice Bart Katureebe, Prof Jossy Rwakishana Bibangamba and Rev. Can. Gershom Kamondo among others.  

Dr Tibesigwa has been the coordinator of the North Ankole Diocese University Project. He was the advisor on community welfare and development issues, a senior presidential advisor on southwestern Uganda; chairman of the board of the Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development (HEPS-Uganda) a non-governmental organization (NGO) that promotes the health and socioeconomic rights, Eliphaz Laki Memorial Foundation; East Africa TEE and COU Provincial Building Committee and chancellor Bishop Stuart University.    

He held a Doctor of Ministry from the Asian Centre for Theological Studies and Mission/United University of ASIA, Master of Divinity University College of Emmanuel and St. Chad, a bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Psychology) from the University of Saskatchewan, a Bachelor of Theology. - URN/The Observer