The Church of Uganda is preparing for a major leadership transition as Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba approaches retirement in August next year.
Kaziimba is expected to retire on August 14, 2027, a day before his 65th birthday. His departure will pave the way for the election of the Church of Uganda’s 10th archbishop.
As he enters the final stage of his ministry, Kaziimba has started nationwide pastoral farewell visits.
During visits to St Matthew’s Cathedral, Buhugu in Sironko District, and St Andrew’s Cathedral in Mbale City a fortnight ago, he urged Christians to remain united.
“Believers are called to live in unity, love one another as brothers and sisters, and remain humble and tenderhearted,” Kaziimba said.
He drew his message from 1 Peter 3:8.
Kaziimba has also used the farewell tours to promote the Church of Uganda’s environmental campaign. The campaign seeks to plant 15 million trees across the country.
He has also encouraged communities to remain alert against Ebola and other public health threats.
Succession Debate Begins
Although the formal succession process has not yet started, discussions have intensified within church circles.
Several names have already emerged as possible successors to Kaziimba.
The transition comes as the Church prepares for a wider generational shift in leadership.
The Church has confirmed that six diocesan bishops will retire before the end of next year.
They include Bishop Dan Zoreka of Kinkiizi Diocese, Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole Diocese, Bishop Gaddie Akanjuna of Kigezi Diocese, Bishop Patrick Wakula of Central Busoga Diocese, Bishop Amos Magezi of North-West Ankole Diocese, and Bishop John Wilson Nandaah of Mbale Diocese.
“I will not mention their years, but what is obvious is that all those bishops you have mentioned are retiring next year. Which means next year, at a given date, all those bishops will be 65 years of age. They are 64 and next year they will be 65 years old,” Naboth Muhairwe, the provincial chancellor and legal advisor, said.
Muhairwe said transition processes in the affected dioceses started some time ago. These include farewell pastoral visits by the retiring bishops.
Bishops Eligible to Succeed Kaziimba
Muhairwe said any serving diocesan bishop who is not retiring next year could qualify to succeed Archbishop Kaziimba.
The eligible bishops include Samuel Bogere Egesa of Bukedi, Prof. Grace Lubaale of Busoga, Wilson Kitara of Kitgum, Michael Lubowa of Central Buganda, Michael Okwii Esakhan of Kumi, Alfred Olwa of Lango, Wilson Kiseka of Luwero, Collins Andaku of Madi-West Nile, Joshua Kugonza of Masindi-Kitara, James Bukomeko of Mityana, Godfrey Mbitse of Muhabura, and Enos Kitto Kagodo of Mukono.
Others include Moses Banja of Namirembe, Pons Awinjo Ozelle of Nebbi, Alfred Muhoozi of North Ankole, Simon Akol Aisu of North Karamoja, Onesimus Asiimwe of North Kigezi, Samuel Gidudu of North Mbale, Godfrey Loum of Northern Uganda, Reuben Kisembo of Ruwenzori, and Paul Masaba of Sebei.
Bishop Kosea Odongo of Soroti, Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe of South Ankole, Bishop Nason Baluku of South Ruwenzori, Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni of West Ankole, Bishop Gaster Nsereko of West Buganda, and Bishop Julius Caesar Nina of West Lango also qualify for the top position.
The Province of the Church of Uganda has 39 dioceses across the country. Each diocese is headed by a diocesan bishop.
Front Runners Emerge
Sources within the Church say informal consultations and lobbying have already started.
The formal process of choosing the next archbishop is still pending.
According to church sources, three names have attracted attention in the informal succession debate.
They are Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe of North Kigezi, Bishop Paul Masaba of Sebei, and Bishop Awinjo Pons Ozelle of Nebbi.
“The three are attracting attention because of their age, leadership records and the number of years they still have before reaching mandatory retirement,” a source said.
Sources say the debate is shaped by age, regional balance, leadership experience, and years remaining before retirement.
Rules for Electing an Archbishop
The Church of Uganda constitution and Provincial Canons require the House of Bishops to elect an archbishop from among serving diocesan bishops.
The successful candidate is then confirmed through established church procedures before consecration and enthronement.
The archbishop also serves as Bishop of Kampala Diocese.
The next archbishop is expected to be consecrated on August 15, 2027, a day after Kaziimba’s retirement.
The office of archbishop was established in 1961 when the Church of the Province of Uganda was formed.
The archbishop provides spiritual leadership and oversees gospel proclamation, episcopal consecrations, doctrinal fidelity, teaching, healing, and discipleship.
The archbishop also chairs key provincial bodies that focus on community transformation and public health.
Candidates for archbishop must have at least a degree in theology or divinity.
If a candidate’s first degree is not in theology or divinity, they must have a postgraduate qualification in either field.
All bishops are eligible to vote, provided no diocesan seat is vacant except Kampala.
The archbishop serves for 10 years or until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65.
The process begins when the dean of the province declares the impending resignation or retirement of the sitting archbishop.
A bishop who has served for at least five years is considered to have an added advantage.
The archbishop is consecrated at St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, the principal cathedral of the Province of the Church of Uganda.
Kaziimba’s Record in Office
Archbishop Kaziimba was elected by the House of Bishops on August 28, 2019.
He succeeded Archbishop Stanley Ntagali.
Kaziimba was enthroned on March 1, 2020, at St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe.
Born on August 15, 1962, he is scheduled to retire on August 14, 2027, in line with Church of Uganda regulations.
Before becoming archbishop, Kaziimba served as Bishop of Mityana Diocese from 2009 to 2020.
His tenure has focused on strengthening financial accountability within church institutions.
He has also worked to complete and operationalise Church House, expand evangelism programmes, and promote family values.
Kaziimba has also advocated for peaceful elections and national unity.
He is credited with guiding the Church through the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupted worship, education, and pastoral ministry across the country.
His leadership has also drawn international attention because of theological and governance debates within the Anglican Communion.
Kaziimba strongly supported Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act.
He also became one of the leading voices in the conservative Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches.
The fellowship challenged the leadership of former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby over doctrinal disagreements on same-sex blessings and sexuality.
In 2023, the fellowship announced that it could no longer recognise Welby as the symbolic leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
It said recent developments had undermined traditional Anglican teaching.
After Welby’s resignation in November 2024, Kaziimba said the “compromised” leadership of Canterbury had broken the unity of the Church.
Bishop Paul Masaba
Bishop Paul Masaba has led Sebei Diocese since 2015.
He marked a decade in episcopal ministry earlier this year.
His path to church leadership began in education. He trained as a teacher at Kapchorwa Primary Teachers’ College.
He later studied theology at Uganda Christian University, where he earned a diploma in theology and a bachelor of divinity degree.
He also holds a Grade III teacher certificate from Kapchorwa Primary Teachers’ College.
Masaba began ministry as a lay reader at Katung Church of Uganda.
He later served as parish priest in Tuban Parish and as diocesan youth and children’s worker.
Before becoming bishop, he served as archdeacon and vicar of St Peter’s Cathedral in Sebei Diocese.
Masaba is credited with overseeing development projects in church infrastructure, schools, and health facilities.
His supporters say he has combined evangelism with community development.
He is married to Agnes Violet Masaba, and they have six children.
Bishop Awinjo Pons Ozelle
Bishop Awinjo Pons Ozelle was born on August 17, 1969.
He was consecrated and enthroned as the third Bishop of Nebbi Diocese on January 16, 2022.
He succeeded the late Bishop Alphonse Watho-Kudi, who died in 2021 due to COVID-19.
Although Ozelle is among the newer members of the House of Bishops, his supporters point to his work in youth empowerment, family ministry, and community outreach.
His leadership has also focused on land registration, education, and strengthening diocesan institutions.
Ozelle earned a master of divinity degree from Trinity Theological College in Singapore.
He also holds a certificate in administrative law, a bachelor of divinity from Uganda Christian University, a postgraduate diploma in teacher education from Kyambogo University, and a diploma in business studies from Uganda College of Commerce, Pakwach.
According to the church website, Ozelle was born again at the age of 24 on December 19, 1993, “after hearing directly from God that if he did not repent of his ungodly ways and enter into a personal relationship with God, he would surely die at a young age, just as two of his friends had died.”
He was ordained deacon in 2000 and priest on November 18, 2001.
Ozelle has served as diocesan secretary and diocesan administrator of Nebbi Diocese.
He has also served as archdeacon of two archdeaconries, parish priest, and chaplain of several schools.
He is married to Edna Owila, and they have four children.
Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe
Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe was born in Mparo, Rukiga District, on April 24, 1965.
He was born to lay reader Samwiri Meisho and Samalie Meisho.
Asiimwe was consecrated and enthroned as the sixth Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese on March 12, 2023.
He succeeded Bishop Benon Magezi, who died in June 2021.
Asiimwe is credited with providing steady administrative leadership in one of western Uganda’s growing dioceses.
His supporters say that record could strengthen his candidacy.
He attended Kihanga Boys’ School for primary education.
He later joined Kigezi High School and Makerere College School for O’Level and A’Level education.
In 1988, he joined National Teachers’ College Kabale and graduated in 1990.
Asiimwe earned a bachelor of education degree from Makerere University in 1995.
In 2006, he was appointed chaplain to Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi.
He enrolled for a master of divinity at Uganda Christian University in 2010.
Asiimwe was ordained deacon at St Peter’s Cathedral Rugarama in Kabale on October 2, 2011.
He was priested on October 7, 2012, by the Rt Rev George Katwesigye.
According to the diocese website, “He received Jesus Christ as his Lord and saviour on January 8, 1988 after a night of heavy alcohol drinking.”
Before his consecration as bishop, Asiimwe served as chaplain of Makerere University.
He is married to Florence, and they have three children.
Retirement Age Debate
The retirement age for bishops has remained a major subject of debate within the Church of Uganda.
Clergy and lay leaders have expressed different views on the matter over the years.
The Church has started a process to amend its Constitution.
The proposed reforms include changes to the election process for bishops.
They also seek to extend the retirement age from 65 to either 70 or 75 years.
Supporters of the proposed amendments also want bishops and archbishops to serve for up to 15 years after election.
The reforms also seek to harmonise several governance issues within the Church.
