House of Bishops Takes Action: Investigative Committee Launched for Delayed Namirembe Diocese Bishop Election

In a significant development within the Anglican Church of Uganda, the House of Bishops has taken a proactive step by establishing a committee to address the deferred election process for the next Bishop of Namirembe Diocese. This move comes as a response to the growing concerns and issues surrounding the bishop election in the diocese.

The decision to set up this committee is seen as a pivotal response to the challenges that have arisen during the nomination and election process. The process has been marked by delays, disputes, and controversies, leaving both the church leadership and the diocesan community eager for resolution and clarity.

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The investigation committee, chaired by the Rt Rev Johnson Gakumba, will be inquiring into the nomination process in line with the Provincial Canon 3.7.30 to guide the next course of action by the House of Bishops for the deferred election.

The five-member committee will also interact with any other persons deemed necessary for the investigation, an October 11 letter to all members of the Namirembe Diocese bishop nomination committee reveals.

In his letter to the respective Namirembe Diocese nomination committee members, the Rt Rev Johnson Gakumba cites the background and purpose of the five-member committee where the House of Bishops sitting at the Provincial Fellowship hall on Namirembe Hill arrived at the decision.
“The House of Bishops on October 4 did not consider the nominated candidates for Bishop of Namirembe owing to the complaints received about the manner in which the nomination process was conducted contrary to the Provincial Constitution and Canons,” part of the letter reveals.
The other four members of the investigation committee include Rt Rev Micheal Lubowa, Rt Rev Micheal Esakhan Okwi, Rt Rev Patrick Wakula, and Provincial Chancellor Naboth Muhairwe, the legal advisor to the committee.

The investigation committee will interact with the 13 members who met on September 30 and nominated the names that were forwarded to the House of Bishops for consideration. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday.

Bishop Luwalira will be handing over the office of the bishop when he turns 65 on December 8.
Candidates vying for the position of the diocesan bishop under the Church of Uganda's Province are chosen according to the guidelines outlined in section 3.7.22 of the Provincial Canons.
Namirembe Diocese is one of the 37 Dioceses that make up the Church of Uganda's Province. Similarly, Luweero Diocese is currently facing a bishop appointment delay due to an ongoing controversy.
The third bishop of Luweero Diocese retired in July 2023, leading to the initiation of the process to appoint the fourth bishop. However, the House of Bishops revoked the election of Rev. Can Godfrey Kasana as the new bishop, and a fresh nomination process is currently in progress.
As the committee begins its work, it is anticipated that its findings and recommendations will have a profound impact on the ongoing bishop election process, offering a path toward resolution and reconciliation within the diocese. This development will be closely watched not only by members of the Namirembe Diocese but also by those interested in the broader workings of the Anglican Church of Uganda.