MUKONO, Uganda — Mennonite Church Uganda consecrated Okoth Simon Onyango as its first bishop Aug. 11.

Onyango was already the body’s national coordinator, but the young church was still relying on permission and support from groups outside Uganda such as Kenya Mennonite Church to ordain pastors and deacons.

“This event was led by Bishop Sungura Garant and assisted by Bishop Dominic Opondo of Kenya,” wrote Onyango by email. “There was jubilation and ululation in the air as this was realized.”

Kenya Mennonite Church sent John Otieno, its first international missionary, to southwestern Uganda in 2004. By 2006, four congregations were established, and a national conference was formed.

With Onyango’s consecration, Mennonite Church Uganda essentially gains administrative independence.

In addition to delegates from all 18 congregations in Uganda, representatives from Kenya Mennonite Church and Mennonite Church Burundi also attended, along with Bishop Sungura of Mennonite Discipleship Mission in Canada and Mennonite World Conference President Henk Stenvers of the Netherlands.

The service took place during Mennonite Church Uganda’s national conference Aug. 8-11 in Mukono, a growing community on the outskirts of the capital of Kampala, where the church is building up its headquarters.