On Monday, October 16, 2023, the House of Bishops has initiated an investigation into the deferred election of the Bishop for Namirembe Diocese.
The committee responsible for the investigation will be led by the Rt Rev Johnson Gakumba, and its primary focus is to examine the nomination process in accordance with the Provincial Canon 3.7.30. The purpose of this inquiry is to guide the House of Bishops in determining the next steps for the delayed election.
The committee consists of five members, including Rt Rev Micheal Lubowa, Rt Rev Micheal Esakhan Okwi, Rt Rev Patrick Wakula, and Provincial Chancellor Naboth Muhairwe, who serves as the legal advisor to the committee. The committee will also engage with other individuals if deemed necessary for the investigation, as mentioned in an October 11 letter addressed to all members of the Namirembe Diocese bishop nomination committee.
Rt Rev Johnson Gakumba, in his letter to the respective Namirembe Diocese nomination committee members, explained the background and purpose of the five-member committee. The decision to form the committee was reached during a House of Bishops meeting held at the Provincial Fellowship hall on Namirembe Hill.
The House of Bishops took this step on October 4 because concerns had arisen regarding the nomination process for the Bishop of Namirembe. These concerns were related to the manner in which the nomination process was conducted, which was alleged to be in violation of the Provincial Constitution and Canons.
The committee’s interaction with the 13 members who met on September 30 and nominated candidates for consideration is scheduled for Wednesday.
Prior to the election exercise on October 4, a petition from a group of elders at Namirembe Diocese was presented to the House of Bishops. The petition raised questions about the nomination of Can Moses Banja, the Archdeacon of Luzira Archdeaconry, and Rev Abraham Muyinda, who currently serves as the Vicar at Namirembe Cathedral. The elders alleged corruption, unfairness, and conflicts of interest had influenced the nominations of these two candidates to replace the retiring Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira. Bishop Luwalira will be stepping down when he reaches the age of 65 on December 8.
To be eligible for election as a diocesan bishop under the Province of the Church of Uganda, candidates must meet certain criteria outlined in section 3.7.22 of the Provincial Canons. These requirements include being ordained priests with a minimum of 10 years of pastoral ministry, being at least 45 years of age, and holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, among other qualifications.
Namirembe Diocese is one of the 37 Dioceses that constitute the Province of the Church of Uganda, and the election process remains unresolved for the new bishop of Luweero Diocese as well. The third bishop of Luweero Diocese retired in July 2023, and the House of Bishops revoked the election process for Rev Can Godfrey Kasana as the fourth bishop of Luweero, initiating a new nomination process.
