Wednesday, July 9, 2025
UG Standard - Latest News
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Login
UG Standard - Latest News
ADVERTISEMENT

Namirembe Diocese: 10 bishop fight to replace Luwalira

by UG STANDARD EDITOR | UG STANDARD EDITORIAL
04/10/2023
in News
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
The Bishop of Namirembe Diocese Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira after the Easter prayers.
The Bishop of Namirembe Diocese Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira after the Easter prayers.

In a turn of events, the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda has decided to defer the election of the next Bishop of Namirembe Diocese. The postponement comes with an announcement that the nomination process is still ongoing and, as such, a final decision has not yet been reached.

This has been confirmed by the Church of Uganda provincial spokesperson Adams Sadik saying that soon the House of Bishops will write to the nominations committee to give it further guidance on how the process will be handled going forward.

Related posts

The accused persons in court today.

Vandalism of Electricity Equipments: 17 charged with terrorism

02/07/2025
197

Looming unemployment: Farmers, Residents in shock as NEMA boss orders the demolition of multi million chicken farm

30/06/2025
337
Suspects in court on Monday.

Mpigi District boss, District Service Commission Members Charged over illegalities in Job offers

30/06/2025
164

Tororo leaders hail Lady Justice Sarah Langa for her Dedication,Mentorship and Integrity

29/06/2025
272

The House of Bishops convened today, with the expectation that they would use this session to elect the bishops for the Diocese of East Busoga and Namirembe, among addressing other matters on their agenda.

On the eve of the meeting, a group of elders took action by petitioning Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu of the Church of Uganda. Their complaint centered around concerns related to the handling of the nomination process for the next Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, citing allegations of corruption, conflicts of interest, and perceived unfairness in the selection process that resulted in the nomination of two candidates.

During the interview, the Provincial spokesperson did not explicitly confirm that the petition from the elders directly led to the deferment of the bishop election. Instead, he mentioned that “there are matters that forced the House of Bishops” to make this decision.

He further explained that the specific reasons for this action taken by the top leadership of the Church of Uganda would be communicated in detail to the nominating committee at a later time.

The election of the new bishop comes at a crucial juncture, as Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, who has led Namirembe Diocese for the past 13 years, is approaching his canonical retirement age of 65. To ensure a smooth transition, the process of selecting a new bishop began on May 13th when the Namirembe Diocesan Synod meeting elected the Bishop’s nomination team.

This team has the responsibility of nominating two eligible priests, from whom the House of Bishops will ultimately choose the sixth Bishop of the oldest diocese in Uganda.  This committee, chaired by Fred Mpanga, the chancellor of Namirembe Diocese, was tasked with identifying suitable candidates for the position of bishop and is said to have received 13 candidates.

Among those nominated were Rev. Canon Moses Kayimba (aged 50), Ven. Rev. Canon Moses Banja (aged 59), Rev. Edward Stephen Kabanda (aged 53), Ven. Canon John Gitta Kavuma (aged 58), and Ven. BK Buwembo (aged 50). Additional candidates included Rev. Semei Ssebina Sekiziyivu (aged 55), Rev. Emmanuel Lutaaya (aged 58), Rev. Dr. Thomas Timothy Nsubuga (aged 59), Rev. Esau Bbosa Kimanje, and Rev. Dr. Enock Kimanje.

Last week, the Synod convened at King’s College Budo to make the final decision on which two names to submit to the House of Bishops. However, reports indicate that disagreements arose during the Saturday meeting attended by 13 out of the 15 members.  Ten of those in attendance are said to have expressed objections to the process contending that there were candidates on the list who had not undergone the requisite vetting and election procedures.

The Synod meeting on that day concluded amidst heated arguments, and a scheduled follow-up session on Monday did not take place.   Nonetheless, it was reported that two names were eventually forwarded to the House of Bishops.

Who Qualifies to be a Bishop in COU

In accordance with Section 3.7.22 of the Provincial Canons of the Church of Uganda, eligibility for nomination to the position of bishop entails specific criteria. Prospective candidates are required to be ordained priests with a minimum of ten years of practical experience in pastoral ministry, as well as being at least 45 years old.  The section further stipulates that an individual seeking nomination must hold a bachelor’s degree in Theology or Divinity and, alternatively, possess a first degree in another field supplemented by a postgraduate diploma in Theology or Divinity.

The canons elaborate that the nomination committee’s assessment of candidates will consider various factors, including their age, academic qualifications, pastoral ministry experience, spiritual dedication and testimony, family life, personal integrity, and societal standing.

Escalating Tensions in Bishop Elections Prompt Concern

In recent years, the Church of Uganda has found itself entangled in controversies surrounding the selection of bishops. This issue has resulted in significant divisions within the church across various dioceses, with factions of Christians rejecting both the nominated candidates and the ultimately elected bishops.

Such situations have arisen in places like Kumi, Muhabura Diocese, and most recently in Luweero, where conflicts remain unresolved. Notably, in some instances, disgruntled Christians have resorted to legal action in civil courts, a practice that church authorities have criticized.

In 2019, Charles Okunya was elected as the second bishop of Kumi Diocese, only for Archbishop Stanley Ntagali to revoke the appointment in February 2020 due to alleged age falsification.

Earlier this year, the House of Bishops elected Godfrey Kasana Ssemakula as the Bishop of Luweero Diocese but later disqualified him on the grounds of maintaining relationships with two mistresses and having children with them. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether the Namirembe nomination committee will be able to navigate this process without stirring up controversy.

The origins of these conflicts in bishop elections can be traced back to the 1965 election of Bishop Erica Sabiti as the Archbishop of Uganda. In his doctoral thesis, Dr David Zac Niringiye, retired assistant bishop of the diocese of Kampala, highlighted the existence of a laymen’s advocacy group within the church known as the Namirembe Christian Organization, which pushed for the new archbishop to have Muganda heritage.

Namirembe Diocese and Luwalira’s Legacy 

Since its establishment in 1960, Namirembe Diocese has had a total of five bishops. The first bishop was Leslie Brown, who served for a five-year tenure. Following him was Dunstan Nsubuga, who became the first indigenous bishop and served for a decade. In 1985, Bishop Kauma succeeded him and led the diocese for nine years.

Subsequently, Samuel Ssekkadde assumed leadership and served as bishop for a remarkable 15-year period. He eventually passed the baton to Luwalira in 2009. During his tenure as Bishop, Luwalira has overseen several significant developments in the diocese. This includes the establishment of Namirembe FM, an Anglican Christian radio station, the renovation of Namirembe Cathedral through the ‘Project Ttegula,’ which raised 2.3 billion Shillings, as well as the construction of the Mission House, Mothers Union Building, Bawereza House, and numerous other church-related projects within the diocese.

Namirembe Cathedral, commonly known as St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, holds a prestigious status as the oldest cathedral in Uganda. It serves a dual role as the provincial cathedral of the Anglican Church of Uganda and the diocesan cathedral for Namirembe Diocese, which was established in the year 1890.

Share this:

  • Share
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Tags: and Rev. Dr. Enock Kimanje.and Ven. BK Buwembo (aged 50). Additional candidates included Rev. Semei Ssebina Sekiziyivu (aged 55)FeaturedRev. Canon Moses Kayimba (aged 50)Rev. Dr. Thomas Timothy Nsubuga (aged 59)Rev. Edward Stephen Kabanda (aged 53)Rev. Emmanuel Lutaaya (aged 58)Rev. Esau Bbosa KimanjeVen. Canon John Gitta Kavuma (aged 58)Ven. Rev. Canon Moses Banja (aged 59)

Related Posts

 Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians
News

 Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians

05/11/2022
0
306

Abbas urges U.S. to compel Israel to stop violations against Palestinians RAMALLAH, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas...

Read moreDetails
Equity ranked 4th strongest banking brand globally on brand strength, scoring 92.4 points out of 100

 Equity Bank Under Scrutiny for Alleged Role in UGX.3bn Fake Gold Scam

09/07/2024
619
Minister of Health Dr. Ruth Aceng and Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwiine pay their respects at the burial of Dr. Joshua Musinguzi, a champion in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda. Their presence honors his legacy and dedication to improving healthcare in Uganda.

 FULL LIST: Health Service Commission Shortlists Applicants for Key Roles

18/06/2025
1.2k
Kabuleta and other opposition politicians have teamed up to put an end to Museveni's leadership

 Kabuleta, other opposition politicians team up to put an end to Museveni’s leadership

27/02/2024
498
Load More

Popular Articles

  • Check out the top schools with pupils who scored 6 in 4 aggregates in the 2024 PLE results, as released by UNEB

    PLE 2024 Results: Top Schools with 6 in 4 Aggregates

    4372 shares
    Share 1749 Tweet 1093
  • How to Renew Your National ID Online: NIRA Pre-Registration Portal 2025 Guide

    4017 shares
    Share 1607 Tweet 1004
  • NIRA unveils high-tech National ID, mass enrollment set to begin

    2665 shares
    Share 1066 Tweet 666
  • FULL LIST: Ministry of Education, NCDC publish self-study workbooks amid COVID-19 lockdown

    3323 shares
    Share 1348 Tweet 823
  • How to Check PLE Results 2024 on Phone, Online

    1784 shares
    Share 714 Tweet 446
  • PLE 2024 Results: UNEB Clarifies on Release Date

    1651 shares
    Share 660 Tweet 413
  • MPs clear govt to cancel 2020 academic year

    2796 shares
    Share 1150 Tweet 686

Recent Articles

ODPP Procures 13 Vehicles to ease it’s Prosecutorial Function

09/07/2025

Fueling the Future: How Pesapal’s Forecourt Management Solution is Transforming Uganda’s Petroleum Sector

09/07/2025
Laban Tibiita

“URA FC Feels Like Home” – Laban Tibita After Signing New Two-Year Deal

09/07/2025

Gazelles set for Egypt training camp ahead of 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket

09/07/2025
Uganda airlines Lusaka Hrarare: Minister Matia Kasaija leads Uganda's delegation on the maiden voyage to Zambia and Zimbabwe, forging stronger economic ties between the nations

Uganda Airlines eyes expansion with new government funding

09/07/2025
PostBank Uganda highlights its commitment to agricultural development through innovative financial solutions at the National Agricultural Show.

PostBank Showcases Innovative Financial Solutions for Farmers at National Agricultural Show

09/07/2025
Wakiso District gets new road project as President Museveni breaks ground for Shs 56bn Bukasa-Ssentema-Kakiri Road, set to enhance connectivity and economic development

Museveni flags-off construction of Bukasa- Ssentema- Kakiri Road 

09/07/2025

Recent CommentsRecent Comments

  • The Journey of Ibrahim Traoré on How President Ibrahim Traoré’s ambitious vision is driving Burkina Faso’s economic growth push
  • Ugandan Scientists Finalists For European Inventors Prize — Press Uganda on Ugandan scientists finalists for European inventors prize
  • Government Pumps UGX1 Trillion Into UDB To Drive Industrialization, SME Growth — Press Uganda on Government pumps UGX1 Trillion into UDB to drive Industrialization, SME growth
  • PS Ggoobi Tips On Building USD 500b Economy — Press Uganda on PS Ggoobi tips on building USD 500b economy
  • Museveni Meets German Envoy Matthias Schauer After Subversion Claims — Press Uganda on Museveni meets German envoy Matthias Schauer after subversion claims

UG Standard - Latest News

UG Standard, published via www.ugstandard.com isa publication of Sahel Media Solutions Ltd, a professional Digital/New Media company in Uganda info@ugstandard.com

Follow us on social media:

Latest News

  • ODPP Procures 13 Vehicles to ease it’s Prosecutorial Function
  • Fueling the Future: How Pesapal’s Forecourt Management Solution is Transforming Uganda’s Petroleum Sector
  • “URA FC Feels Like Home” – Laban Tibita After Signing New Two-Year Deal
  • Gazelles set for Egypt training camp ahead of 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket
  • Uganda Airlines eyes expansion with new government funding
  • PostBank Showcases Innovative Financial Solutions for Farmers at National Agricultural Show

OpED

Fueling the Future: How Pesapal’s Forecourt Management Solution is Transforming Uganda’s Petroleum Sector

HELLEN MASIKA: From Darkness to Solar Light in Kijumba 

Why de-register a Motor Vehicle in Uganda: and Consequences of Non-Compliance

Challenges of taxing law firms in Uganda

SHEILA ABOTH: Maternal healthcare must be everyone’s business because it takes a village

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • DIPLOMACY
    • COURT
    • AFRICA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • INTERVIEW:
    • National
    • Parliament
    • World
    • Regional
  • Business
    • AGRIBUSINESS
    • OIL & GAS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECH
    • INNOVATIONS
    • TELCOM
  • OpED
  • EDUCATION
  • INVESTIGATION
    • NATIONAL ARCHIVE
    • SPECIAL REPORT
    • ANALYSIS
  • FEATURES
    • SOCIETY
    • Community
    • Pictorial
    • PROFILES
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • ENVIRONMENT
  • Tours & Travel
    • Hotel & Hospitality
  • Sports
  • About Us

© 2024 Ugstandard - Latest News by Digital/New Media company.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
%d