In an unexpected turn of events, the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda has decided to delay the election of the next Bishop of Namirembe Diocese. This postponement comes after a last-minute petition was received, and it should be noted that the nomination process is still in progress, with a final decision pending.
According to the Church of Uganda provincial spokesperson, Adams Sadik, the House of Bishops will communicate further guidance to the nominations committee on how to proceed with the election.
The House of Bishops had gathered with the intent to elect bishops for the Diocese of East Busoga and Namirembe and address other matters on their agenda.
Just before the meeting, a group of elders submitted a petition to Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu. Their concerns revolved around allegations of corruption, conflicts of interest, and perceived unfairness in the selection process, which resulted in the nomination of two candidates.
The provincial spokesperson did not explicitly confirm that the petition led to the election delay but mentioned that “matters” influenced the decision. Detailed reasons for this action will be communicated to the nominating committee later.
The election of a new bishop is significant as the current Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira approaches the canonical retirement age of 65 after 13 years of leadership. The process began in May, with the Namirembe Diocesan Synod selecting a nomination team to choose two eligible priests for the House of Bishops to consider.
The nomination committee, led by Fred Mpanga, had the responsibility of identifying suitable candidates from among 13 applicants.
Disagreements arose during the Synod meeting when selecting the final two names to submit to the House of Bishops. Ten out of 13 members expressed objections, citing concerns about candidates who hadn’t undergone the necessary vetting and election procedures.
Tensions surrounding bishop elections have surfaced in various Church of Uganda dioceses in recent years, leading to divisions and even legal actions. It remains uncertain whether the Namirembe nomination committee can navigate this process smoothly.
Church of Uganda’s canons outline specific criteria for bishop nominees, including ordination as priests, ten years of pastoral ministry experience, a minimum age of 45, and academic qualifications in theology or divinity.
These controversies in bishop elections have roots dating back to the 1965 election of Archbishop Erica Sabiti and the influence of the Namirembe Christian Organization advocating for Muganda heritage.
Namirembe Diocese, established in 1960, has had five bishops, with Bishop Luwalira overseeing significant developments during his tenure, including the renovation of Namirembe Cathedral and other church-related projects. Namirembe Cathedral holds a prestigious status as the oldest cathedral in Uganda, serving as the provincial and diocesan cathedral.
