This follows an earlier decision by the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda to postpone his consecration which was scheduled for 9^th May 2010, resulting from allegations that he had fathered two children outside of wedlock.

The House, chaired by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, received the results of a DNA paternity test which indicated that Bagaba did not father the two children in question.

The decision was arrived at during the House of Bishops meeting held on 2^nd July 2010 at Lweza Training & Conference Centre.

The House requests that a process of reconciliation among the Christians of Kinkiizi Diocese be initiated by the retiring Bishop, Rt. Rev. John Ntegyereize.



I learned, with great shock, of the bomb blasts that went off at Kyadondo Rugby Club and Ethiopian Restaurant in Kabalagala, killing and injuring many innocent people who had converged to watch the World Cup Final on Sunday night.

As a result, there is a spirit of gloom and doom over the city of Kampala and the people of Uganda. Many people are bereaved; parents and children have been separated; brothers and sisters, lovers and friends are all feeling a great sense of loss and there is great pain.

This act of malice and hatred towards mankind is completely ungodly, especially towards innocent and unsuspecting persons. I condemn this act in the strongest terms possible and hope to see the perpetrators of this hideous crime brought to justice.

In the mean time, I call upon each one of us to desist from anger and revenge; this will only perpetuate the pain we already feel. Revenge is not a solution and neither is a sectarian approach to this problem helpful.

Let us instead now focus our energies on being a part of the fight against terrorism in our country. Each one of you can use your eyes as a great weapon to fight this evil. Even as we do so, let us not breed unnecessary suspicion against one another but instead seek for the common goal of a peaceful and just society. Remember a peaceful society is the right of every one regardless of their age, race, gender or religious inclination.

It may cost this nation a lot to try and be a good neighbour to the Somalis who are struggling to have a governable nation.

To the bereaved, I extend my sincere condolences. We share in your pain and wish you God’s comfort during this difficult time.

And to the entire nation, I ask you to fix your eyes on the cross of Jesus. The cross is a reminder of human cruelty to an innocent person; the agony of pain He went through enables Him to share in our pain as well. He had to pay a price for us to receive our freedom. The blood of the Ugandans spilled on Sunday will bring to Ugandans peace.

Perpetrators may not know what they are doing but Jesus prayed a powerful prayer, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Yet with this blood on their hands, the Righteous God will be the one to avenge our cause while human justice will also take its course.

For indeed our help comes from the Lord as Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

I pray for the President, his Cabinet, the Members of Parliament, the Police and all Security Agencies as they address this challenge. May God’s wisdom direct you and give you victory over the enemies of our people. And may Ugandans remain united during such a trying time.

The Peace of God be over this nation now and forever.

For God and my country!

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi

Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala Diocese

This position was adopted by the House of Bishops and seeks to provide guidance as debate on this proposed piece of legislation takes place in the hope that it will reflect the love of God for all people, the authority of Holy Scripture, the value of our heritage and the need to adopt Christ like principles as we seek to rid our society of vices that we feel are detrimental to the institution of the family. To read the Church’s position, please click here.

 THEME: “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them….” (1 John 3:24)

It goes without saying that Christmas is perhaps the most exciting time of the year. There is so much activity around this time; people are travelling to be with their loved ones, business people are stocking their products hoping to make a big sale; companies are offering huge discounts and promotions; young lovers are walking down the aisle, proclaiming love and commitment to each other. The country is ablaze with activity because there are so many reasons to celebrate.

And yet, among us are those for whom Christmas is a lonely time. They may be isolated for one reason or the other – they are imprisoned, oppressed, have lost their loved ones or trapped in a land far away. Some have been widowed or orphaned and their bereavement is heightened when they see others celebrate with their loved ones.

All the above having been said, let me remind you of what Christmas is really about.

 Christmas is a time of rememberance.  It is the perfect opportunity to remember the impact of Christ’s birth on a world that was dark and lost. It is a time to remember the impact of this one act of love that is able to make every man and woman whole. It is a time to remember the priceless offer of HIS blood to redeem mankind from sin and inevitably, death.

Christmas is also a time of evaluation. My plea to each one of you, as you celebrate the festivities is that you take a moment to ponder on the impact of the Christ’s birth and death on your life.  What does this mean for you? What does this one act of love mean? And how does it impact our lives? How does it affect the way you celebrate Christmas?

At Christmas, we need to assess the way we live our lives. Can it be said that Christ lives in you? Can your family, colleagues and friends say that you are obedient to Christ?

It is my prayer that your way of celebration will show the Christ who lives in you; that you will open up your lives and homes to allow Christ to have a home in your hearts. This will then be reflected in the way we live.

2009 has been filled with many blessings but also with many challenges for our nation. Where you have excelled, I sincerely congratulate you. Where we have failed, I challenge you to look back as see what we could have done differently, in the hope that we will learn from our mistakes.

With Christ dwelling in our hearts, there will be no need for violence against one another, injustice, human sacrifice, exploitation, corruption and all manner of vice that seems to plague our nation.

And when we allow ourselves to be immersed in Christ, we then will be able to rise against the evil forces that are trying to take captive of our homes, schools, governments and our nation as a whole because, as John 10:10 says, “ I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly”. Your celebrations should sping from the life within and not because you are looking for life in Christmas celebrations.

I would like to extend my sincere best wishes to His Excellency the President, Maama Janet and the family; The Vice President and his family; The Prime Minister and his family; Members of Parliament, The Kabaka of Buganda and all cultural leadership in our nation.

I send Christmas greetings to the Council of Presidents of Inter-religious Council of Uganda, Co-chairs of Uganda Joint Christian Council and all Church Leaders. 

To all people of Uganda, I pray that you will allow Christ to live in you wherever you are.  Be mindful of each other as you celebrate. Let His peace reign in Uganda!

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

To God be the Glory.

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA

 The statement, which was issued on November 10, 2009 and signed by the Primate of Nigeria, Archbishop Peter Akinola, expresses the Fellowship’s deep conviction that this is not the time to leave the Anglican Communion, and reiterates its belief in the future of Anglicanism as bright if its members remain rooted in the Holy Scriptures.  

Church of Uganda fully subscribes to the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FCA) and is in full support of the statement that has been issued. 

 Read the full statement here.

Church of Uganda and the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill”

The Church of Uganda is studying the proposed “Anti-homosexuality bill” and, therefore, does not yet have an official position on the bill. In the meantime, we can restate our position on a number of related issues.

1.    Our deepest conviction as the Church of Uganda is that, in Christ, people and their sexual desires are redeemed, and restored to God’s original intent. Repentance and obedience to Scripture are the gateway to the redemption of marriage and family and the transformation of society. (Position Paper on Scripture, Authority, and Human Sexuality, May 2005)

2.    The House of Bishops resolved in August 2008 that “The Church of Uganda is committed at all levels to offer counseling, healing and prayer for people with homosexual disorientation, especially in our schools and other institutions of learning. The Church is a safe place for individuals, who are confused about their sexuality or struggling with sexual brokenness, to seek help and healing.”

3.    The Church of Uganda upholds the sanctity of life and cannot support the death penalty.

4.    In April 2009, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said, “I am appalled to learn that the rumours we have heard for a long time about homosexual recruiting in our schools and amongst our youth are true. I am even more concerned that the practice is more widespread than we originally thought.  It is the duty of the church and the government to be watchmen on the wall and to warn and protect our people from harmful and deceitful agendas.”

5.    “Homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture.” (Resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference of Bishops.)  Homosexual behaviour is immoral and should not be promoted, supported, or condoned in any way as an “alternative lifestyle.”  This position has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the House of Bishops and the Provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda.

6.    We cannot support the blessing of same-sex unions or the ordination of homosexuals (Resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference of Bishops), and we will oppose efforts to import such practices into Uganda.  Again, this position has been repeatedly reaffirmed by the House of Bishops and the Provincial Assembly of the Church of Uganda.

Rev. Canon Aaron Mwesigye
Provincial Secretary
Church of Uganda

During Easter we remember the real meaning of our Lord’s word recorded by John the Apostle.  Jesus raised from the dead – the empty tomb – the testimony of the women who went early to anoint his cold still body – the excitement and boldness of his Apostles who proclaimed his resurrection.  The same claim today made and faith of Two (2) billion Christians – all testify to a Jesus who is no longer in the grave but alive.  HE LIVES!!!

On 25th February, this year, in the Provincial Office, several Church leaders from various Churches sounded a trumpet-call against human sacrifices which is very rampant in our country.  That call was picked-up by many believers who have continued to repent, fast and pray to God, the giver of life, whose creation is being wantonly destroyed.  Believers, we shall not rest until God brings justice on behalf of those who are innocently slain by wicked schemes of men and women who do not fear God.  Our hope and encouragement is in the Lord who could not be held captive by death.  On the Cross, his blood was shed for the sins of many.  He called to the Father to forgive those responsible for his death.  May God forgive those who are ignorantly sacrificing human lives to the god of money, power and prestige.
We declare the Lordship of the risen Christ over rampant moral failure of our time.  Jesus is alive and so we shall not give up hope.  He will turn the hearts of all Ugandans to love this nation and all her citizens.

I call upon the Government to use her relevant organs to ensure that the citizens of Uganda live without fear.  Right now there is fear in the hearts of parents with young children.  Fear on our roads as many travel because of careless driving.  Fear as prices rise and cost of living escalate.  Fear as young people battle with immorality even in schools.  Fear as many marriages are no longer holding together.  The list is long.

The words of Jesus Christ this East is, “PEACE BE WITH YOU.”  (John 20:19).  The one who went through insults, rejection, crucifixion and pain qualifies to declare his PEACE on you today.  Make peace with him this Easter Season.  Seek for peace between you and the one whom you called your enemy since last Easter.  We invite his peace to cover our country and govern our relationship with our neighbouring countries as well.  MAY YOU HAVE HIS PEACE TODAY.

I wish His Excellency and his family Happy Easter.  I send Easter greetings to the Kabaka of Buganda and all Heads of Religious bodies in Uganda.  I greet the Government Ministers and Members of Parliament and wish you all the PEACE of God which passes all understanding.

May God continue to bless our Church, the Bishops, Clergy and all the Laity this Easter Season.  HAPPY EASTER!!!

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi
ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA.

Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi
19 Feb 2009

Brothers and Sisters,

A schoolgirl is beheaded; a toddler’s genitals are cut off; a lady goes for an evening out, never to return! Think of the girl’s classmates! How about the mother of the boy who will grow up with no manhood! And then the man who hoped one day to marry the now missing lady! There is a cry in our land.  Our beloved country Uganda is weeping, grieving for the innocent lives of countless people – including children – who have needlessly lost their lives at the hands of wicked people in pursuit of selfish ambition and money. There is greed, corruption, and an inhuman thirst to spill innocent blood.

This cry is so loud, that we the Church – regardless of denomination – are together declaring a nationwide campaign against this evil of witchcraft and human sacrifice.  We the Church are unequivocal in our strong condemnation of this depraved practice, which not only defiles the sanctity of human life, but also reveals the extent to which the core of our society is degenerating owing to greed, godlessness, and moral corruption.

Brothers and Sisters, this must stop.  We the Church, have a burden to repent and renounce the greed, corruption, and selfish ambition that plague our nation, and which have precipitated the evil of human sacrifice by those who practice witchcraft and mistakenly regard it as a means to quick wealth.  After all, we have been warned that:
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds if evil…” 1 Timothy 6:10

Human sacrifice is evil and demonic.  It is clearly a spiritual problem, which needs a spiritual solution.  The demons that demand the blood of the innocent of our land must be silenced, cast out, and destroyed – so that our beloved country will be cleansed of this evil and healed thereafter.

BUT – only a repentant, praying Church will have the power to accomplish this urgent and important assignment.  Second Chronicles chapter 7 and verse 14 says:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land…”

For this reason, we the Church have decided to rise together in a nationwide prayer and fasting campaign, under the theme, “Weeping for Uganda’s Children who are no more” (Jeremiah 31:15),  in which we shall lift up one voice in prayers of repentance on behalf our land, asking God to forgive our nation and heal our land.

The 40-day campaign, which for some churches is the period of Lent, will formally begin on Wednesday, 25 February, 2009, and Christians are encouraged to identify families affected by human sacrifice in their communities, so that the Church can minister to them.  We shall also pray for our leaders, so that God will grant them wisdom as they tackle this challenge.

We the Leaders of all Christian denominations are, therefore, requesting that all pastors sensitise their congregations about the impending prayer and fasting campaign, and to mobilise them to join in.  The campaign will also be in newspapers, posters and fliers, on radio and TV, and in telephones via sms messages. We believe that the vice of human sacrifice can be erased from our land, “For nothing is impossible with God…” Luke 1:37.