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

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.

The Rt. Rev. Robert Duncan
Pittsburgh, PA
USA

Dear Bishop Duncan,

I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the name above all names, and the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  I have very intentionally addressed this letter to you as Bishop Duncan, for, indeed, you are a Bishop.

I was upcountry tending to pastoral business when the TEC House of Bishops took their vote to supposedly depose you, so I am very sorry that I could not add my name at the time to the very good statement issued by my esteemed colleagues, Archbishops Venables, Gomez, and Nzimbi. I hope you know of the unqualified support you have from me and our entire House of Bishops.

In 2004, when the Church of Uganda broke communion with TEC, we stated that, although we were breaking communion with TEC, we remained in communion with you, the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and all who uphold the historic and Biblical faith of Anglicanism and did not support the unbiblical decision of confirming the election of Gene Robinson to the episcopate.

Despite the shameful action taken last week by the majority of TEC Bishops, nothing about our position has changed. We continue to recognize you as a Bishop of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. We continue to recognize you as a Bishop in good standing in the Anglican Communion, and we whole-heartedly support the action of Archbishop Greg Venables and the House of Bishops of the Province of the Southern Cone to receive you into their House of Bishops. We continue in full communion with you and we do not recognize the action of the TEC House of Bishops to depose you.

Furthermore, we are praying that on 4th October the majority of the Diocese of Pittsburgh will vote to be reunited with you as their Bishop. When the King of Buganda tried to destroy the Christian movement in 1886 by killing the converts in his court, he instead fueled the spread of the Gospel among our people. I believe that can also happen in North America. So, do not be discouraged.  Our God is a God of redemption, and He will take what was intended for evil and bring good out of it.

Finally, if the world couldn’t see it before, this vote reveals how spiritually lost TEC is and why North America needs a new Province that authentically represents historic and Biblical Anglicanism. The Instruments of the Anglican Communion could have averted this crisis. Instead, institutional inertia is preferred, and meanwhile, the tear in the fabric of our communion is now deeper and wider, the mission of the church suffers, and many people miss out on hearing the good news that a Saviour has come.

I look forward to the day when you are not only the Moderator of the Common Cause Partnership, but when we can also welcome you to the table of Primates as the Archbishop of a new, Biblically faithful Province in North America. May the Lord grant you wisdom and apostolic favour as you lead that movement, and may He add daily the number who are being saved.

Yours, in Christ,

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

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
The Episcopal Church USA
815 Second Avenue
New York, NY

Dear Bishop Katharine,

I received word of your letter through a colleague who had seen it on the internet. Without the internet, I may never have known that you had written such a personal, yet sadly ironic, letter to me.

Unfortunately, you appear to have been misinformed about key matters, which I hope to clear up in this letter.

1.      I am not visiting a church in the Diocese of Georgia. I am visiting a congregation that is part of the Church of Uganda. Were I to visit a congregation within TEC, I would certainly observe the courtesy of contacting the local bishop. Since, however, I am visiting a congregation that is part of the Church of Uganda, I feel very free to visit them and encourage them through the Word of God.

2.      The reason this congregation separated from TEC and is now part of the Church of Uganda is that the actions of TEC’s General Convention and statements of duly elected TEC leaders and representatives indicate that TEC has abandoned the historic Christian faith. Furthermore, as predicted by the Primates of the Anglican Communion in October 2003, TEC’s actions have, in fact, torn the fabric of the Communion at its deepest level.

3.      May I remind you that the initial reason the Lambeth Commission on Communion was appointed was because of unbiblical decisions taken by TEC in defiance of repeated warnings by all of the Anglican Instruments of Communion. The Windsor Report was produced and accepted in amended form by the Primates at our meeting in Dromantine, Northern Ireland, in February 2005. It is, therefore, quite ironic for you to be quoting the Windsor Report to me. Nowhere in the Windsor Report or in subsequent statements of the Instruments of Communion is there a moral equivalence between the unbiblical actions and decisions of TEC that have torn the fabric of our Communion at its deepest level and the pastoral response on our part to provide ecclesiastical oversight to American congregations who wish to continue to uphold the faith once delivered to the saints and remain a part of the Anglican Communion. Your selective quoting of the Windsor Report is stunning in its arrogance and condescension.

4.      You and your House of Bishops rejected outright the Pastoral Scheme painstakingly devised in Dar es Salaam, and to which you agreed. You have, therefore, left us no choice but to continue to respond to the cries of God’s faithful people in America for episcopal oversight that upholds and promotes historic, biblical Anglicanism.

5.      An important element of the Dar es Salaam agreement was the plea by the Primates that “the representatives of The Episcopal Church and of those congregations in property disputes with it to suspend all actions in law arising in this situation.” This was something to which you gave verbal assent and yet you have initiated more legal actions against congregations and clergy in your short tenure as Presiding Bishop than all of your predecessors combined. I urge you to rethink, suspend litigation and follow a more Christ-like approach to settling your differences.

Finally, I appeal to you to heed the advice of Gamaliel in Acts 5.38ff, “Leave these [churches] alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop [them]; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Yours, in Christ,

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