Joyce Namugambe
Following the nullification of the Bishop of Luweero Diocese Godfrey Semakula Kasana by the church of Uganda house of Bishops, Christians from Luwero Diocese have taken the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, to court over the nullification of Bishop-elect.
This followed the meeting of the House of Bishops in Kabalega Resort hotel in Hoima and they decided to nullify Rev. Canon Kasana Ssemakula’s election as the fourth bishop of Luwero Diocese.
The Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, Rev. Canon William Ongeng, declared with a straight face that the decision came about because the Bishop-elect’s integrity was somewhat questionable during the nomination and election process.
This was not welcomed by some Christians in Luwero as they divided among themselves one group supporting the decision from the house of the Bishops and others against the decision and decided to sue the Archbishop of the church of Uganda.
Led by the indomitable David Lule Mutyaba Muzzanganda, these faithful petitioners want the High Court to deliver a divine verdict. They argue that the House of Bishops had no business meddling in ecclesiastical offenses; that’s a job for Diocese and Provincial tribunals.
The constitution and canon laws provide for electing bishops, but they don’t offer a recipe for resolving the House of Bishops’ disputes.
The plaintiffs demand that Rev. Canon Kasana Ssemakula be declared the rightful Bishop of Luwero Diocese, and they even want an order for his consecration.
To ensure there’s no sequel to this ecclesiastical saga, the court is asked to permanently forbid the House of Bishops from playing bishop-replacement games.
Archbishop Kazimba Mugalu, the lone defendant in this celestial courtroom battle, must now defend his heavenly position. He has 15 days to file his defence or face a judgment in absentia.
Meanwhile, local authorities have thrown their spiritual support behind the lawsuit. The LC 5 Chairman of Luwero District hopes this will help the Church resolve its heavenly conflict and streamline its affairs.
It should be noted that the Bishop’s election was nullified after allegations that he had fathered achild outside the holy wedrobe which is against the biblical transgressions which called for his nullification.
