After fourteen (14) years as Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira will be retiring from active ministry by the end of this year and a new Bishop will take over. The significance of Namirembe in the Province of the Church of Uganda, in Buganda and Uganda at large cannot be overlooked due to its rich history and powerful influence in the social, economic, cultural and political affairs of Uganda.
The outgoing Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira has demonstrated exceptional and exemplary leadership for the past 14 years and those who understand the quiet and aging Clergy say he is more than ready to handover the diocese. Luwalira’s scores and misses at Namirembe will be a story for another day.
Our lenses today focus on the heated successional politics at Namirembe and out of the 10 Clergy that have expressed interest in succeeding Bishop Luwalira. We shall focus on the four most resounding names in various Christian circles.
1. Ven. Canon Moses Banja (Luzira Archdeaconry)
Canon Banja is a humble clergy married to the current Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University Canon Banja Nasakka. His prominent years of service were seen in Mukono Diocese where he served as Diocesan Secretary before falling out with Bishop Ssebagala.
It is understood that Bishop Luwalira came to his rescue and welcomed him in Namirembe where he worked as Assistant Education Secretary under Rev. Paul Kabanda in the Diocesan Education Department. He also briefly worked at Lutikko Deanery under the leadership of Canon Benon Kityo as Dean.
Many believe that Canon Banja and family have a very strong bond and close friendship with Bishop Luwalira’s family hence his appointment as the Archdeacon of Luzira replacing Ven. Canon Isaac Membe Kijjambu was a surprise to many due to his limited time in the Diocese and many fellow clergy attributed it to his close ties with Bishop Luwalira. Serving as the head in Luzira Archdeaconry, not much can be reported about his achievements so far and many Christians believe his vocal wife is more in charge than the reserved aging Clergy. He is 59 years old.
2. Ven. Canon John Gitta Kavuma (Entebbe Archdeaconry)
Canon John Gitta Kavuma could be the most experienced among the 10 since he was rapidly elevated to several positions during Retired Bishop Samuel Balagadde Sekadde’s time who many believe to be his God father. Canon Gitta served as the Diocesan Youth Secretary and later Mission Secretary at the diocese. He has also served as the Archdeacon of Mengo and currently his heading Entebbe Archdeaconry.
His remarkable achievements are seen mainly in development works especially buildings. During his time in Mengo Archdeaconry, his credited for constructing a modern house for the Archdeacon, starting the construction of a new Church and a religious museum. Because of his long term service in the Diocese, Bishop Luwalira named him among the Canons of St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe.
However many Clergy and Christians are deeply concerned by his pride, high profile lifestyle, rudeness, lack of connection with the people he considers to be of low profile and many find him unapproachable. Canon Gitta is also said to have been defiant and resistant to Bishop Luwalira’s programs which has undermined his popularity among fellow Clergy and Christians. Many at times, he is the only Clergy who would deliberately undermine Bishop Luwalira’s authority something that has rubbed many Christians the wrong way.
3. Ven. Canon Godfrey Buwembo (Nateete Archdeaconry)
Canon Godfrey Buwembo is said to be from a humble family back ground and to many he’s a down to earth Clergy who relates well among people of all social status .Canon Godfrey has vast experience in diocesan matters and has served from being a Sunday school Teacher, Lay Reader, Parish Priest and as head of the Diocesan Youth Department where his connection and love for the youth made him set a record of 9 years in the
department.
Currently Canon Buwembo is the Chairman of the Diocesan Estates Board which oversees the land, infrastructure and wealth of the Diocese. And he is the serving Archdeacon of Nateete Archdeaconry. He reawakened the efforts to construct Galikwoleka the Nateete Archdeaconry seat whose mobilisation skills have brought it to its near completion.
To many clergy and Christians the intricate politics of the diocese would ideally need a well measured character, Humble and Diligent in service delivery which features and temperaments Canon Buwembo Has.
4. Rev. Canon Moses Kayemba (West Buganda Diocese)
Not much is known about him but his mostly known as the son of the late Canon Kibukka the former Archdeacon of Nateete. He was Parish Priest of Kibuye and he worked closely under Ven. Canon John Gitta Kavuma when he was Archdeacon of Mengo and many times he referred to him as his assistant in the Archdeaconry.
He later served as the Parish Priest of Namasumba before joining West Buganda Diocese as Diocesan Secretary on request of Bishop Katumba Tamale. While in Masaka, Bishop Katumba Tamale who is believed to be his mentor named him Canon. Canon Moses is a young clergy and at 50 years, the future is promising in God’s ministry. His known to be a very humble clergy who easily connects with people and a powerful preacher of the word.
However not much can be talked about him during his stay in Namirembe in terms of development. The strategic role of Namirembe Diocese in the province of the Anglican Church, the politics of Buganda and Uganda naturally makes its leadership exigent. May the good Lord choose the best among his servants to continue his works on this great historical Hill.
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