The House of Bishops, convened at the Lweza Training and Conference Center, has elected two new bishops to oversee the affairs of the North Ankole and Luwero Dioceses in Uganda. Reverend Canon Alfred Muhoozi has been chosen as the third Bishop of North Ankole Diocese, while Reverend Canon Wilson Kisekka will serve as the Fourth Bishop of Luwero Diocese, succeeding the retired Bishop Eridard Nsubuga Kironde.
According to a statement released by Rev. Canon William Ongeng, the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, the consecration and enthronement of Rev. Canon Muhoozi as Bishop are scheduled to take place on May 26th, 2024, at Emmanuel Cathedral in Rushere. Currently aged 51, Rev. Canon Muhoozi serves as the Archdeacon of Kinoni Archdeaconry in North Ankole Diocese and is married to Molly Muhoozi, with whom he has four children and two grandchildren.
Meanwhile, Rev. Canon Wilson Kisekka, aged 53, is set to be consecrated and enthroned as Bishop of Luwero Diocese on March 24th, 2024, at St. Mark Cathedral. This appointment follows the expiration of the tenure of caretaker Bishop James William Ssebaggala on March 18th. Rev. Canon Kisekka currently holds the position of Archdeacon of Ndeeba Archdeaconry in Mukono Diocese and is married to Racheal Milly Nakayenga.
Despite the anticipation surrounding their appointments, Bishop-elect Kisekka faces the challenge of reconciling Christians who remain unsettled by the decision to nullify the election of their preferred native Bishop, Rev. Canon Godfrey Kasana Ssemakula. The House of Bishops, meeting at Kabalega Resort Hotel in Hoima on June 28th, 2023, declared the election of Rev. Canon Ssemakula as Fourth Bishop of Luwero Diocese null and void due to discrepancies in the nomination and election process, which raised concerns about the integrity of the Bishop-elect.
Following this decision, four Christians, including John Ssendowooza, Moses Bemba, Christopher Ssajjabi Katende, and Moses Kakembo, filed a lawsuit against 37 Anglican Bishops, challenging the nullification of Kasana’s election. However, Luwero High Court is yet to hear the case, despite issuing summons to the Bishops.
In a related development, Principal Judge Flavian Zeija dismissed another case contesting the nullification of Kasana’s election on October 25th, 2023. Judge Zeija ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction over spiritual matters and emphasized that the Anglican Church has established canon laws governing the appointment of bishops and the resolution of election disputes.
