The Rev. Pons Ozelle has been elected the 3rd Bishop of Nebbi Diocese. He will be consecrated and enthroned as Bishop on 16th January 2022 at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Goli.
The 2nd Bishop of Nebbi was the Rt. Rev. Alphonse Watho-kudi, who died in January 2021 from Covid-19. Immediately upon his death, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba became the Bishop of Nebbi Diocese. He appointed retired Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi to represent him as the Care-taker Bishop.
Rev. Ozelle was born 17th August 1969. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Theological College in Singapore. He also has a Certificate in Administrative Law and a Bachelor of Divinity from Uganda Christian University, a post-graduate Diploma in Teacher Education from Kyambogo University, and a Diploma in Business Studies from Uganda College of Commerce, Pakwach.
Rev. Ozelle was born again at the age of 24 on 19th December 1993 after hearing directly from God that if he did not repent of his ungodly ways and enter into a personal relationship with God, he would surely die at a young age, just as two of his friends had died. He was very shaken by this experience and gripped with deep conviction. He immediately went to his local parish church and prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord.
He was ordained a deacon in 2000 and then made a priest on 18th November 2001. He has served as Diocesan Secretary and Diocesan Administrator of Nebbi Diocese, Archdeacon of two Archdeaconries, parish priest, and Chaplain of several schools.
Rev. Ozelle has also served with World Vision, taught at Uganda College of Commerce and Paidha Primary Teachers’ Training College, and Chaired the Boards of Governors for Uringi Secondary School and Pakwach Secondary School.
Rev. Ozelle is married to Edna Owila, who teaches at Uringi Secondary School, and God has blessed them with four children.
The election was made by the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda sitting at the Martyrs Shrine, Namugongo, on 27th October 2021.
