A section of Christians from Greater Kabale have petioned Archbishop of Uganda Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu over what they termed as irregularities in nomination and election of Rev. Gad Akanjuna who is set to replace Rt. Rev. Eng. George Bagamuhunda as the next Bishop of Kigezi Diosese.
The petition dated 31st March 2022 refers to the election in which Akampurira, the Archdeacon of All saints church in Kabale District, was chosen to replace Bagamuhunda whose official retirement is sheduled on 30th June 2022.
The disputed election was held on 9th Feb. 2022 after Bagamuhunda announced early retirement last year, following his meeting with the Arcbishop Kaziimba Mugalu. Bagamuhunda reportedly mentioned health challenges as the reason for intention to throw in the towel at 63 , before 65 years which is the official retirement age for Bishops as stipulated in the church canon laws.
However, through their lawyers of Nzige, Jamero and Company Advocates, a section of christians have disputed the legality of Akanjuna’s election arguing that the whole election process was marred with irregularities.
They argue that Akanjuna does not have academic qualifications for the office, while the electroral college that elected him was also not properly constituted as per the guidelines of the church canons.
In the petition, the complainants quote Canon 3.7 of the Church of Uganda Constitution which indicates that any candidate for the appointment to the office of the Bishop “shall be a holder of atleast a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology or Divitiny or a first degree in any other field, with a Post- Graduate Diploma in Theology or Divinity.”
They accuse the Synode of Kigezi Diocese of nominating Akanjuna who was later elected by the House of Bishops when they were aware that he did not have a degree in Theology or Divinity, yet he also had no post graduate diploma in any of the fields, as stipulated in the Canons. That Akanjuna only holds a Bachelor’s degree in education and an ordinary diploma in theology.
In a phone interview with this Media House, Lead lawyer Drake Twebaze said he was approached by “Very Prominent Christians” from Greater Kabale who asked him to pen down their grievances and send them to the Archbishop who is the chief custodian of the Church Canons.
Among other allegations, Mr. Twebaze said they had reliable information that Bishop Bagamuhunda’s early retirement was a syndicated move by a section of top officers in the Kigezi Diocese, to close out a certain Reverand who had expressed interest in the office.
According to Twebaze, the reverend whose name he refused to reveal, would clock 45 years of age in November 2022, and therefore Bgamuhunda and his cohorts planned to prevent his candidature as early as possible. The Church constitution barrs Christians below age 45 from being elected as Bishops.
Twebaze also alleged that there was a section of people who had privatised some church projects in the Diocese of Kigezi, such as the water and Saniation project and their interest was to keep business flowing smoothly under a Bishop from their circle, hence elction of Akanjuna.
Twebaze added that Archbishop Kaziimba had received the petition and conceded to a meeting with the petitioners, scheduled for 7th April 2022 at 9:00 am, and among their demands was cancellation of Akanjuna’s election because it was null and void, followed by a fresh nomination and election of the new Bishop.
The Deputy Speaker Rubanda District, Mbabazi Pierre Nyetegyereize revealed that he was one of the petitioners. He said that among the irregularities was the illegaly constituted electoral college that deliberately avoided church premises and held the nomination activity in a bushy place on Rushaga Island in Kisoro District.
Pierre also noted that before the petition he had approached the Kabale University Secretary Canon Baryantuma Munono who is a synode member among other several church leaders, cautioning them after the nomination of Akanjuna on academic grounds, but all was in vain.
Pierre said they would proceed to courts of law in case the meeting with Archbishop Kaziimba failed to adress their grievances.
Among other complaints was one against Kigezi Provincial Chancellor and Chairperson of the Electoral College, Bruce Kyereere who was accused of staying in office beyond the 12 years stipulated in the Church Constitution.
According to Pierre, Kyereere had been in office since 1999 and he was supposed to have left after four terms each consisting a mandate of three years. The Petitioners argue that Kyereere should be removed from office, not only for failing to respect the constitution, but also presiding over illegal and chaotic elections .
Meanwhile, despite having a copy of the petion indicating that the Provincial secretary was served by the same, Can. William Ongeng told this media house that he had no knowledge about the matter. Our reporter talked to the Kigezi Diocesan Secretary Rev. Erasmus Turyatunga who also claimed that he had not seen the petition.
This is not the first time such conflicts have emerged in Kigezi Diocese . In 2013, during the election period for the Incumbent Bishop George Bagamuhunda, a number of people including church leaders, were arrested as they protested the election process to replace Emeritus Bishop George Katwesigye.
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