Church of Uganda Denies Dismissal of Namirembe Diocese Chancellor

Rothschild Jobi

The Church of Uganda (COU) has denied reports that it dismissed Namirembe Diocese chancellor, lawyer Frederick Mpanga. According to these reports, the alleged dismissal by the House of Bishops was linked to his role in the controversial nomination of two candidates scheduled for election.

The Namirembe bishop-elect, set to replace retiring Bishop Kityo Luwalira, faced concerns from elders regarding the nomination process led by Mpanga. The controversy surrounded the nomination of two candidates, The Rev. Moses Banja and the Rev. Abraham Muyinda.




COU spokesperson Sadiiki Adams stated, “We categorically refute these allegations, regarding them as false, unsubstantiated and clearly intended to generate unnecessary public distress.”




The House of Bishops deferred the election of the New Bishop of Namirembe Diocese following a petition from elders and some members of the selection committee challenging the nomination of the two candidates. A committee of five Bishops, along with the provincial chancellor, will investigate the allegations and report back with their findings.




The House of Bishops proceeded to elect the Rev. Can. Paul Hannington Suubi as the first Bishop of East Busoga Diocese.

Sadiiki confirmed that the nomination process for the new Bishop of Namirembe was ongoing, and the House of Bishops made recommendations that the provincial secretary would communicate to the nominations committee in due course.

Elders raised concerns, accusing Mpanga of leading the process with a conflict of interest and taking sides. They claimed that Mpanga singlehandedly chose the candidates and asked the committee to endorse them, which led to an open disagreement within the committee.




The elders further alleged that Muyinda, the current vicar of Namirembe, did not apply for the bishop’s position, and his candidature was introduced at the last minute.

The elders also accused the lawyer of misinterpreting the canon laws on who qualifies to be a bishop, particularly regarding academic qualifications.

This dispute has raised questions about the nomination process within the Church of Uganda.




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