Joseph Abura

Joseph Abura ^[1] also known as Emeritus Joseph Abura (born in 1959) was an Anglican bishop in Uganda: ^[2] he has been Bishop of Karamoja ^[3] since 2006-2024 . He reached the mandatory retirement age for the Church of Uganda of 65 years on August 28, 2024, leading to his retirement from the Diocese of Karamoja.

Early life

He was born in 1959 in the Karamoja sub-region, he spent much of his childhood as a goat shepherd. He initially trained as a primary school teacher before transitioning into the clergy. As a young man, he personally met Bishop Brian Herd, the first Bishop of Karamoja, whose missionary work and eventual deportation by Idi Amin in 1977 left a lasting impression on him.

Episcopal Leadership

He was consecrated on May 27, 2007, as the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of Karamoja. In 2021, he was appointed Dean of the Province of the Church of Uganda, a title held by the longest-serving active bishop in the country. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, he abdicated his seat in August 2024 and was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Michael Chorey.

Social and Cultural Background

He plans to spend his retirement in his home village in Lorengcora, Napak District. His background in Karamoja deeply influenced his social work. He has been a vocal critic of traditional rituals involving animal sacrifice and "idolatry," which he believes hinder regional progress.

He wrote "The Awakening" to address the high rate of unmarried women in Karamoja and to challenge traditional dowry practices.

Education

While specific primary and secondary schools attended by Joseph Abura are not widely detailed in public records, his academic and professional journey includes;

• Primary Education. He attended local schools in Karamoja and has shared in public addresses that his childhood involved balancing education with traditional duties, such as serving as a goat shepherd.
• Teaching Career. Before entering the ministry, he trained and served as a primary school teacher, a role that informed his lifelong advocacy for educational reform in the Karamoja sub-region.
• Theological Education. He underwent theological training necessary for ordination in the Church of Uganda. While specific degrees are not listed in his common biographies, his successor, Bishop Michael Chorey, notably holds advanced degrees from Uganda Christian University (UCU), which is the standard institution for Anglican clergy in the country. ^[4]

Career

Early Career

• Goat Shepherd. He began his life in a traditional pastoralist setting, tending to livestock.
• Primary Teacher. Before entering the ministry, he trained and worked as a primary school teacher, a background that fueled his later advocacy for regional education.

Episcopal Ministry (2007–2024)

• Bishop of Karamoja. He was consecrated on May 27, 2007, as the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of Karamoja.
• Dean of the Province. In January 2021, he was appointed Dean of the Province by Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba, a role designated for the longest-serving active bishop in Uganda.
• Social Advocate. Throughout his 17-year tenure, he campaigned for compulsory education to combat regional insecurity and fought cultural practices he deemed regressive, such as animal sacrifice and excessive dowries. ^[5]
• Retirement. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 and officially abdicated his seat on August 25, 2024, handing over tools to his successor, Rt. Rev. Michael Chorey.

Post-Retirement

In February 2025, as Bishop Emeritus, he has actively called for the amendment of Uganda’s police bond and bail laws to prevent corruption and ensure the wealthy are not favored over ordinary citizens. ^[5] He remains a public figure through his writings, notably his book “The Awakening,” which addresses social and familial discipline.

Personal life

Beyond his religious duties, he is a writer and social commentator. He has also been a vocal critic of traditional animal sacrifices and cultural rituals that he believes conflict with modern progress and Christian faith. ^[6]

References

1. "The Rt Revd Joseph Abura - The Church Of The Province Of Uganda - Anglican Communion". worldanglican.com. Retrieved 2020-04-07.
2. "Karamoja — Anglican Diocese of North West Australia". anglicandnwa.org. Retrieved 2020-04-07.
3. "Bishop consecration needs armed convoy | News | The Llantwit Major GEM". llantwit-major-today.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-04-07.
4. "Two Bishops in Karamoja Ask For Colleges :". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
5. "Emeritus Rt. Rev. Joseph Abura Wants Police Bond, Bail Law Amended :". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
6. "Karamoja Bishop Resorts To Writing To Save Marriages :". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-12-17.