Lawyers from the Luweero Anglican Diocese have refused to take responsibility for the legal fees incurred by the provincial office in defending Archbishop Samuel Kaziimba in court. The provincial office sent a letter to Luweero Diocese, dated December 22, 2023, requesting the payment of an 18 million shillings legal bill owed to Agaba Muhairwe and Company Advocates, led by Church of Uganda provincial chancellor Naboth Tumuhairwe.
In the letter addressed to Luweero caretaker Bishop James Sebaggala, the provincial secretary, Can. William Ongeng, explained that the law firm represented Archbishop Kaziimba when a group of Luwero Christians took legal action against him. These Christians sought to challenge the decision made on June 28 by the House of Bishops, which nullified the election of Bishop-elect Kasana as the Anglican bishop of Luwero.
The case, filed in the Luwero High Court, was dismissed by principal judge Flavian Zeija on the grounds that the complainants incorrectly sued Archbishop Kaziimba. Despite this, on December 22, Ongeng urged Luwero Diocese to cover the legal expenses incurred in defending Kaziimba.
However, Luwero diocesan chancellor Erastus Kibirango argued on December 28, 2023, that it was inappropriate for the law firm to demand payment for routine work in defense of the Church. Kibirango emphasized that Naboth Muhairwe, the managing partner of the legal firm, is also the Church of Uganda chancellor and receives a salary for performing his duty.
In a continuation of the six-month succession dispute, the Christians who initially filed the case have now taken legal action against all 37 bishops, including Archbishop Kaziimba, who make up the House of Bishops. This move follows the rejection of their initial case by principal judge Zeija. The new case, filed by Moses Kakembo, Christopher Sajjabi Katende, Bemba Moses, and Sight Sendowooza, alleges that Bishop-elect Kasana was not given a fair hearing.
The Luweero High Court has issued summons, dated December 20, ordering the respondents, including Kaziimba and 36 other bishops, to file their defences within two weeks. Two of the respondents have retired since the House of Bishops made the decision to nullify Kasana’s election as the fourth bishop of Luwero Anglican diocese during their meeting at Kabalega Resort hotel in Hoima on June 28.
