By Spy Uganda
On Sunday March 1, 2020, former Mityana Diocese Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Steven Kazimba Mugalu, a man who grew up from a humble village in Bukunja, Buikwe district and later in Makindye ghettos, was enthroned as the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.
Archbishop Kazimba’s enthronement, which was graced by the Archbishop of Canterbury the Right Rev.Justin Welby, was attended by many political heads and church leaders, who were visible to many Ugandans except one; Bishop Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa the Ankole Diocese.
Pundits reveal that the main reason why Bishop Mwesigwa was obscure is because last year he contested for the position of Archbishop with Kazimba but miserably lost the race. It is thus said that the Bishop from Ankole was not amazed by the fact the Man of God from Buganda region had trounced him in the divine election.
The Election
In August 2019, 37 Church of Uganda bishops voted for an Archbishop amongst them. Although the stiff competition was between Mwesigwa and Kazimba, the overriding factor was that the next Archbishop had to come from a different part of the country, to replace Stanley Ntagali, who hails from Western Uganda. So, much as Mwesigwa was a well-qualified and very competent candidate for the position, the odds were not in his favour.
Actually, many eyebrows were raised amongst observers when Bukedi diocese Bishop George Samuel Boogere Egesa turned down his candidacy at the 11th hour, leaving the race to Kazimba Mwesigwa.
It should be noted that 37 bishops were the eligible voters. The Elections took place in the St. Hannington Chapel at St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, amidst tight security.
At the end of the day, Kazimba emerged winner, after scooping 27 votes, while Mwesigwa scored 10 votes.
Addressing a press conference shortly after his election, Archbishop Dr. Kazimba said, “What our eyes have never seen, what our ears have never heard and what our minds have never thought about, that is what God does for His children.”
Indeed God had done a miracle for Kazimba because it was not easy for him to triumph over Mwesigwa, who had a lot of political backing, and Spies reveal that his support came from as far as State House.
Why Mwesigwa Lost
Insiders in the Anglican Church reveal that although the Buganda Vs Western region factor was key in Mwesigwa’s loss, he must also blame his loss on a mega function he organized shortly before the election, to renew wedding vows after 25 years in marriage with his wife Dr. Alice Mwesigwa.
The lavish celebrations were held at St. James Cathedral Ruharo, in Mbarara district and presided over by former Archbishop His Grace Rev. Luke Orombi.
Although the function was attended by about 25 bishops, it was interpreted as an intention to campaign for the Archbishop seat, which is not allowed in the Church of Uganda Constitution.
Reports indicate that there was lobbying going on for the visiting bishops to vote Mwesigwa and when the info leaked, it didn’t go down well with other bishops and the then outgoing Archbishop Ntagali.
In fact during his press briefing a few days later, His Grace Dr. Ntagali said, “Me I didn’t campaign to be elected Archbishop. I had clean hands.”
We are reliably informed that this said function haunted Mwesigwa and during the election, his fellow bishops capitalised on it to deny him the position of Archbishop since many saw him as an opportunist. It should be noted that although the function was attended by several bishops, Kazimba didn’t attend it. He was busy preaching the Gospel on Namirembe Cathedral owned radio.
Kazimba- Ntagali Closeness
It is also believed that Ntagali and Kazimba are very close, yet usually, the outgoing Archbishop has an upper hand in influencing the election, hence he is said to also have played in Kazimba’s favour by rallying other bishops to back him up.
In fact, while speaking at a press conference last year, Archbishop Dr. Ntagali referred to his successor as a very ‘down to earth servant who deserved this win.’
“Martin Luther King Jr once said ‘I have a dream that one day, Black and White Americans will walk shoulder by shoulder on the streets of Washington and New York’. And recently we had the grandson of Africa being the President of USA. Mine is not a dream, it is a testimony.” Ntagali said.
He added that “Two days before I was elected Archbishop of Church of Uganda, a dear brother came to me and said, ‘Brother you are being speculated by the press. I feel that we need to sit down and pray together.’ I said, it is a good idea. This was my brother Bishop Steven Kazimba.”
Ntagali went on to say that “He never knew that God was preparing him to be the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. My brother I congratulate you and thank God for your humility and I want to thank the provincial Chancellor who led the election exercise. We thank God for this humble and great man of God to whom am going to handle over the province as the 9th Archbishop.”
On August 22nd 2018, during the 24th Provincial Assembly, Archbishop Stanley Ntagali announced his intention to retire on his 65th Birthday on March 01st, 2020, the same day Kazimba was enthroned as the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.
He had served as the 8th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda after being elected in June 22nd, 2010 and installed in December 16th 2012 at St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe.
