Wednesday 28th August 2019.
Bishop Dr Steven Samuel Kazimba Mugalu is elected as the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda by the House of Bishops.
The announcement was made on Wednesday morning at Namirembe Diocese, Kampala.
Dr Kaziimba will take over the reins from the Most Reverend Stanley Ntagali on March 1st, 2020 at St Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe.
Dr Kaziimba asked bishops to stand with him as he starts his work.
“This is a new calling, a new challenge and a new opportunity for the gospel. Pray for us that God’s name will be exalted,” he said.
Dr Kaziimba is the current Bishop of Mityana Diocese, a role he has held for the last 15 years
Tracing Bishop Kazimba’s work record, there is no doubt that the Anglican Church in Uganda is headed for better heights in areas of spiritual growth, infrastructural development and continued unity among the clergy and the followers.
Dr. Stephen Kazimba was born to Besweri Kaddu and Jessica Nanyonjo on August 15, 1962 at Gulama-Najja Kyaggwe, present day Buikwe district. “Kazimba” which means builder. He was named after his grandfather Kazimba who served as a Lay-leader of Kinoni-Kasoga Parish and Gulama-Nyenga Parish.
Kazimba grew up with his mother at Makindye who educated him for his primary education in Gakuwebwamunno nursery and Lusaka Primary School.
Life was a real challenge that he almost failed to get fees for his primary. His uncle , the late Emmanual Mukasa came to his rescue by sponsoring him for high school education at Seeta College Mwanyanjiri.
The couple have four children – all boys: Kisakye Moses Mugalu, Muwanguzi Peter Kyeswa, Musasizi Enoch Kazimba, and Kwagala Joseph Kazimba. Because of their humble background, Stephen and Margaret heard a call to mentor other less-privileged children making a family of 20.
He was trained as a Lay-leader at Baskerville Theological College Ngogwe in 1985 and posted to Lugazi St. Peter’s Church.
Between 1988 and 1990, he trained at Uganda Martyrs’ Seminary (Provincial Certificate), and was ordained in December 1990 by Bishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo. He served as Assistant Vicar at Nakibizzi Parish in 1990 – 1994.
Between 1994 and 1996, he completed his diploma in Theology at Bishop Tucker College, and posted to Katente Parish as Parish Priest (1997 – 2000).
In 2003, he completed his Master’s Degree in theology at western theology seminary, USA. In 2004 he was confirmed as the provost of St. Philip and Andrew‘s Cathedral.
Between 2004 and 2007, Kazimba pursued his Doctorate of Ministry Degree at Western Seminary USA, and also made a Canon in 2007 by Bishop Elia Paul Luzinda Kizito.
He became the 4th Bishop of Mityana Diocese on October 26, 2008 replacing Bishop Dr. Dunstan Kopriano Bukenya.
The Archbishop elect will say farewell to his Diocese and prepare to move to Kampala.
His current Diocese will elect new Bishop since he will leave his Diocese to also become the Bishop of Kampala Diocese.
The first Archbishop of the Church of Uganda was Leslie Brown a British missionary who was the Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga – Zaire the present day Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 1961 – 1966.
He was succeeded by Archbishop Erica Sabiiti from 1966 – 1974.
The third Archbishop was Janan Luwum from 1974 – 1977.
The fourth was Arch Bishop Silvanus Wani from 1977 – 1983.
In 1980, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga – Zaire became a separate francophone province and Uganda became its own province.
The fifth Archbishop was Yona Okoth from 1983 – 1995.
The sixth was Arch Bishop Livingston Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo from 1995 – 2004.
The seventh was Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi from 2004 – 2012.
The current and eighth Archbishop is Stanley Ntagali who was consecrated in 2012.
