Elders Petition Archbishop Kazimba Over Controversial Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira's Successor Search.

In a surprising turn of events within the Anglican Diocese, a group of concerned elders has taken a bold step by petitioning Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu. Their grievance revolves around what they allege to be a fraudulent nomination process for candidates to replace the retiring Bishop Kityo Luwalira.

https://twitter.com/observerug/status/1689164691346542592

Rev Moses Banja and Rev Abraham Muyinda found themselves at the center of this controversy as they were nominated to fill the significant position left vacant by Bishop Kityo Luwalira's retirement. However, according to the petitioning elders, the nomination process raised red flags and concerns about its transparency and fairness. 

The elders argue that the nominations were marred by irregularities and a lack of adherence to established protocols within the Anglican Church. They express concern that the integrity of the selection process may have been compromised, and this has prompted their appeal to Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu.

The elders are accusing Kampala lawyer Frederick Mpanga of AF Mpanga Advocates who is the chancellor of the diocese for fraud. On Saturday, Mpanga called for a nomination meeting at Kings College Budo where the candidates for the position of Namirembe Bishop could be vetted for the two names that would be forwarded to the House of Bishops.
In the meeting, which ended past midnight, Mpanga instead turned up with the usual tricks of selecting who he thinks are the right candidates. Mpanga this time came with two names: Moses Mpanga and Abraham Muyinda asking the committee to endorse them.

Of the 15 committee members, 13 attended the Saturday meeting. And only three out of the 15 members in attendance endorsed Mpanga’s proposal of simply endorsing without vetting and electing as per the law.

The three are Mpanga himself, former Bukedde editor Geoffrey Kulubya and Robinah Kizito, the Headmistress of Gayaza High School. The remaining 10 members refused to endorse Mpanga’s fraudulent nomination of Banja and Muyind

Seeing the situation going out of hand, Mpanga adjourned the meeting to Monday 2nd October for the committee to meet again. However, on Monday, Mpanga did not call for the meeting. Instead, he is alleged to have sent the names of Banja and Muyinda to Archbishop Kaziimba.
Goeffrey Kulubya then hastily put up a news story that appeared in the New Vision of Tuesday 3rd October to try to force Mpanga’s nomination on the committee.

Sources within the nomination committee say Muyinda, the current vicar of Namirembe did not apply for the position of bishop and his candidature was smuggled in at the last hour. “Rev Muyinda never applied and was never among the original 10 people who applied for this position. He couldn’t have applied after the period of application had closed,” the source said.
Rev Muyinda was simply added in as a lightweight to provide a path for Banja to become bishop of Namirembe.

According to sources, Banja is said to be a close associate of Rev Kityo Luwalira, the outgoing bishop of Namirembe and its alleged that during his master’s degree studies at the Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Luwalira used to reside at Banja’s residence. Luwalira’s children also resided at Banja’s house.

It should be noted that Banja is husband to Dr Prof Olivia Nassaka, the current Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University.

Sources also added that at the time Luwalira enjoyed Banja’s hospitality at Mukono, Nassaka was a top administrator and professor at the Uganda Christian University. Luwalira wants to reward the 59-year-old Banja for having done favours for him.
Mpanga is accused of circumventing the canon laws on who qualifies to be a bishop particularly the issue of academic qualifications.

The passionate plea made by the anonymous writer underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and transparency of leadership transitions within the Anglican Church and, more broadly, within any institution. The reference to the Luweero saga serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences that can arise when personal interests overshadow the greater good.