Draft:Bishop Alfred Olwa
| Submission declined on 23 April 2025 by S0091 (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia. The content of this submission includes material that does not meet Wikipedia's minimum standard for inline citations. Please cite your sources using footnotes. For instructions on how to do this, please see Referencing for beginners. Thank you.
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Comment: Citations need to be in-line and what he has written or said cannot be used to establish notability. The first sources in basically a regurgitation of a speech he made, the second is just a brief announcement that does not say anything about him and Amazon is not a reliable source. On top of this, the draft is written in a promotional non-neutral tone. S0091 (talk) 15:12, 23 April 2025 (UTC)
Alfred Olwa
Alfred Olwa is a Ugandan Anglican bishop and theologian, currently serving as the Bishop of the Diocese of Lango in the Church of Uganda. He is recognized for his strong advocacy of biblical orthodoxy, leadership in the global conservative Anglican movement, and active involvement in reconciliation efforts within Uganda and the broader East African region.
Early Life and Education
Alfred Olwa was born on January 29, 1964, in Namasale, within the Lango Diocese of northern Uganda. Raised in a devout Christian family, he was baptized in 1975 and confirmed in 1978 by the then Bishop of Lango, Rt. Rev. Melchizedek Otim.
In his youth, Olwa attended several primary schools, including Namasale Primary School (1971–1975), Akalo Primary School in Kole District (1976–1977), and Akore Primary School in Aromo Sub-county, Lira District (1978–1980). He completed his secondary education at Aboke High School (1981–1982) and Ngai Secondary School (1983–1987), where he obtained his O and A levels.
Initially, Olwa had no intention of pursuing a religious vocation. He spent much of his childhood engaging in traditional practices, including assisting his grandmother, a witch doctor, in her spiritual activities. However, in April 1982, during a period of illness, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening when a group of Pentecostal Christians shared the message of Jesus with him. This encounter led to his conversion and a renewed sense of purpose.
After completing his secondary education, Olwa felt a calling to serve in the ministry. In 1990, he enrolled at Bishop Tucker Theological College (now Uganda Christian University, Mukono), earning a Diploma in Theology. He later pursued a Bachelor of Divinity at Makerere University, graduating in 1998.
Olwa's academic journey continued internationally. He obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Aspects of Biblical Interpretation from Brunel University, Uxbridge (London Bible College) in 2001 and a Master of Theology by Research in 2003. His doctoral studies culminated in a PhD from the University of Western Sydney (Moore College, Sydney) in 2012. His dissertation focused on the role of reconciliation in the preaching of Bishop Festo Kivengere of Uganda between 1971 and 1988.
Ministry and Episcopal Career
Alfred Olwa has served in various pastoral and leadership roles within the Church of Uganda. He was consecrated as the Bishop of Lango Diocese, where he has been an outspoken voice on issues of faith, church doctrine, and moral teachings.
GAFCON III Address
Bishop Olwa gained international attention when he addressed the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) III in Jerusalem on June 18, 2018. The event was attended by over 1,900 Anglican bishops and delegates from more than 50 countries. GAFCON represents a movement of conservative Anglican churches committed to upholding traditional biblical values and teachings.
In his address, Bishop Olwa called for an unwavering commitment to the Gospel, stating, “A line is drawn by Jesus; you are either in or out. There is no sitting on the fence.” He warned against the growing influence of prosperity gospel teachings, arguing that they often distort the true message of Christianity. According to Olwa, such teachings reduce the role of Jesus to that of a mere benefactor, rather than the crucified and risen Lord.
His message resonated strongly with the GAFCON community, symbolically linking modern theological disputes within Anglicanism to the biblical narrative of Jesus' trial and rejection. This comparison served to highlight concerns among conservative Anglicans about the perceived abandonment of traditional values by parts of the Anglican Communion.
Reconciliation Initiatives
Bishop Olwa has been actively involved in reconciliation efforts within Uganda. In 2023, he led a delegation from the Acholi and Lango communities to meet with the Ugandan President to discuss and promote reconciliation between the two groups. This initiative was part of ongoing efforts to heal divisions and foster unity in the region.
Academic Contributions
Bishop Olwa holds a PhD from Moore Theological College in Sydney, Australia. He is currently the Head of the Practical Studies Department at the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology in Mukono, Uganda. He lectures in Mission, Biblical Theology, Worship, and Homiletics. Previously, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Theology at Uganda Christian University.
In addition to his academic roles, Bishop Olwa has authored the book Missionary of Reconciliation: The Role of the Doctrine of Reconciliation in the Preaching of Bishop Festo Kivengere of Uganda between 1971–1988. The book examines the centrality of the doctrine of reconciliation in Kivengere's preaching during a tumultuous period in Uganda's history, offering insights into the theological underpinnings of his ministry.
Legacy and Influence
Olwa continues to influence discussions on Christian doctrine and ecclesiastical leadership, especially in the Global South. His commitment to Scripture and his critique of prosperity theology have made him a respected figure within both Ugandan and international Anglican circles.
- See Also
- GAFCON - Church of Uganda - Anglican realignment
- References
- "Ugandan Anglican bishop stirs global Christian conference." *New Vision*. June 18, 2018. [Link](https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1480001/ugandan-anglican-bishop-stirs-global-christian-conference) - "Acholi-Lango reconciliation delegation to meet President." *New Vision*. [Link](https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/acholi-lango-reconciliation-delegation-to-mee-NV_185622) - "Missionary of Reconciliation: The Role of the Doctrine of Reconciliation in the Preaching of Bishop Festo Kivengere of Uganda between 1971–1988." [Link](https://www.amazon.com/Missionary-Reconciliation-Preaching-Kivengere-1971-1988/dp/1783689935)