By Obed Kankiriho and Sophan Niwamanya
The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has urged Christians to remain steadfast in prayer, unity, and love as the Church enters a period of transition amid growing social tensions.
Preaching at the conclusion of his four-day pastoral farewell visit and the Diocese of Kigezi’s annual Brethren Conference at the Convention Centre in Rugarama, Kabale Municipality, Archbishop Kaziimba emphasized that peace within the Church must be deliberately nurtured, warning that internal divisions weaken its spiritual mission and moral authority in society.
The conference, which began on Wednesday, was held under the theme drawn from Ephesians 2:14: “Christ is our peace.” The Archbishop called on believers to grow in the love of Jesus Christ as the foundation for reconciliation and harmony among Christians.
Beyond Church affairs, Archbishop Kaziimba addressed the broader national issue of post-election conduct, urging election winners to exercise restraint and responsibility. He cautioned against actions or rhetoric that provoke those who lost, noting that political intolerance fuels division and undermines national unity.
He reminded Ugandans who feel defeated in elections that they remain part of the country’s future and should not be pushed to the margins.
Archbishop Kaziimba, who has led the Church of Uganda since 2020, is scheduled to retire in August 2027 in accordance with the Church’s Constitution, which sets the mandatory retirement age at 65. His farewell visit to the Diocese of Kigezi marks a historic first, signaling a structured and transparent leadership transition within the Anglican Church.
Reflecting on his tenure, the Archbishop highlighted initiatives such as Revival Radio and the “One Child” programme as practical expressions of the Church’s mission to combine evangelism with social responsibility. He said the programmes were designed to strengthen faith while addressing community needs.
The Bishop of Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna, praised Archbishop Kaziimba’s leadership, particularly his role in mobilizing resources to clear debts and restore Church House to full Church ownership and governance. He described the achievement as a milestone toward financial accountability and institutional stability.
Meanwhile, the Church of Uganda Communications Officer, Sadiiki Adams, revealed that Archbishop Kaziimba and six bishops will officially retire on August 14, 2027, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age, in line with the Church of Uganda Constitution.
Among the bishops due for retirement are Rt. Rev. Dan Zoreka of Kinkiizi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole Diocese, and Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna of Kigezi Diocese, among others.
Sadiiki noted that the Archbishop will soon begin farewell visits to all dioceses nationwide, while the retiring bishops will also tour churches within their respective dioceses to thank Christians for their support over the years.
He called upon Christians across the country to pray for the Church as it enters a critical season of leadership renewal, emphasizing the need for unity, wisdom, and peace during the process of selecting a new Archbishop and six bishops.
Sadiiki also disclosed that preparations to elect new delegates to the Provincial Assembly, the Church of Uganda’s supreme decision-making organ, will begin in 2026.
