1. The House of Bishops elects the Archbishop. The House of Bishops is comprised of all active Diocesan and Assistant Bishops. At the time of Archbishop Stanley Ntagali’s election, there are 34 Bishops in the House of Bishops.
2. The Provincial Chancellor presides over the election.

What are the constitutional requirements regarding Archbishops of the Church of Uganda?

1. An Archbishop can serve only for ten years and no more.
2. They can only serve until their 65^th birthday. At the age of 65 an Archbishop must retire, even if he has served less than his ten-year term
3. To be elected an Archbishop, you must be a Bishop in the Church of Uganda and at least 50 years old.
4. All Dioceses must have Bishops. There can be no vacant dioceses.

Who have been the previous Archbishops?

1. Archbishop Leslie Brown, a British missionary, was the first Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire (1961-1966)
2. Archbishop Erica Sabiti (1966 – 1974)
3. Archbishop Janani Luwum (1974 – 1977). Martyred in 1977.
4. Archbishop Silvanus Wani (1977 – 1983). In 1980, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire became a separate, Francophone Province, and Uganda became its own Province.
5. Archbishop Yona Okoth (1983 – 1995)
6. Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi-Nkoyoyo (1995 – 2004)
7. Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi (2004 – 2012)

What is an “enthronement”?

When a Bishop or an Archbishop is installed and vested with the spiritual authority over a particular jurisdiction, it is called an “enthronement.” So, the enthronement service is the ceremony in which the outgoing Archbishop transfers spiritual authority to the incoming Archbishop by handing over the pastoral staff, and the Bishops of the Church guide the new Archbishop to his Provincial Chair.  Every Bishop has a special chair, which in Latin is called a cathedra. A cathedra literally means is a chair with armrests. In the Church this special chair or cathedra is a symbol of the teaching authority of the Bishop. The church building in which the cathedra resides is called the Cathedral. Often times, the cathedra is a large chair, slightly elevated above other chairs, and has thus been sometimes described as a “throne.” Thus, when a Bishop is installed in a Diocese and vested with spiritual authority over that jurisdiction, it is sometimes described as an “enthronement.”

Where is the Archbishop’s Cathedral?

The Archbishop has two cathedrals. He is the Bishop of Kampala Diocese and his Diocesan Cathedral is All Saints’ Cathedral, Nakasero. He also has a Provincial Cathedral, which is St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe. St. Paul’s Cathedral is also the Diocesan Cathedral for Namirembe Diocese, who has its own Bishop.

Why is an Enthronement of an Archbishop significant?

The Church of Uganda is an independent province of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Anglican Communion is the world’s third largest family of churches, after the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches. It has 85 million members spread throughout 165 countries. The Church of Uganda is the second largest Province among the 38 Provinces of the Anglican Communion, with more than 11 million members, which is a little more than one-third the population of Uganda. The Archbishop is the senior leader of the entire Church of Uganda and the chief spokesman for the Church.  As Archbishop, he participates in global leadership meetings.

What happens at the enthronement of an Archbishop?

The service of enthronement is a regular worship service with readings from the Bible, a sermon, and Holy Communion. In addition to that, the outgoing Archbishop hands over the Provincial Staff – a symbol of the Archbishop’s spiritual authority – to the new, incoming Archbishop. The new Archbishop renews his vows, and the Bishops also pledge canonical obedience to him. The Dean of the Province (the most tenured Bishop in the House of Bishops) guides the new Archbishop to his Provincial Chair and places him on the Chair, symbolizing that the Bishops elected him to lead them and the entire Church of Uganda. The new Archbishop reads his Charge – a kind of manifesto and vision for his ministry, leadership, and strategic direction.

THE MOST REV. STANLEY NTAGALI

ARCHBISHOP OF THE CHURCH OF UGANDA

Christmas greetings to all Ugandans!

I thank God for this very important season of Christmas which is the time we join other Christians all over the world to celebrate the greatest event of our Christian history – the birth of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, which took place over 2000 years ago.  The great gift God gave to the world out of his love.  It is a time of great joy to all people.

This Christmas is unique because as a country, we have just celebrated our Golden Jubilee of our Independence.  We looked together at our achievements as a nation, our failures and success.  We rededicated ourselves to serve our motherland – Uganda with commitment, honesty and integrity in the next 50 years.  We need to work hard to improve on the things we did not do so well in the first 50 years of our independence.

Yes, it was a time of great joy and celebration for all Ugandans.  Our beloved President courageously and confidently opened his heart and repented on behalf of all Ugandans.  This was a sign of what God requires from all of us.  To repent and be reconciled to our God brings forgiveness and transformation.  We all need to repent of what went wrong in our lives and families so that God in his mercy can forgive us of all the evil things that have continued to affect our country and families.

The prophecy of Isaiah regarding the birth of Jesus Christ shows that he was to be born in a fallen world full of hatred, injustice and corruption.  Jesus came to bring peace and joy.  He came as the true light in the dark world.  To restore humanity to the original position of being true and loved people of God.  To bring reconciliation and healing among children, families, elders, rich and poor.  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders and he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (1 Isaiah 9:6)

We are celebrating Christmas when other people are in difficult situations, many homes are breaking because of domestic violence, land issues are dividing families and neighbours, jealous and hatred are causing conflict in many homes and villages, corruption is on the increase, child sacrifice is on the increase, defilement etc.  Many people have given up hope and faith in the living God and His Son Jesus Christ whose birth we are celebrating.

But to us a child was born, the Saviour came to a sinful world for fallen people.  We need to know that God still loves us, He cares about us, He is the Saviour of the world.  He wants us to accept him as our Saviour and Lord.  He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  He can change the thinking of people who have not yet understood his love and his Peace.  He is the Prince of Peace.  Jesus is the only Hope for Uganda.

I appeal to you all Ugandans this Christmas to allow Jesus to change your thinking.  Allow him to be born into your life, family, office, business etc.  That is when we shall be able to experience God’s forgiveness as individuals and as a Country.  His grace – the unmerited favour will transform our lives, our attitudes, our work etc.  This will help all Ugandans, young and old; rich and poor to be men and women of integrity.  To be responsible citizens, transparent and accountable to God and our people.  Together we shall make our country Uganda a better country for us and for the generation to come.

Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2013 to;

• H.E the President of Uganda – Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museven and Maama Janet Museveni and family
• The Vice President of Uganda – Rt. Hon. Prime Minister
• The Hon. Ministers
• My predecessor, Bishop Henry Luke Orombi and Maama Phoebe Orombi
• My brother Bishops of the Church of Uganda and your dear wives
• All Clergy and Lay Leaders
• All Christians in our Dioceses and the People of Uganda

Signed,

The Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali

ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA

More than 3,000 people attended the colourful ceremony, including His Excellency the President, political leaders, business leaders, and all the Bishops of the Church of Uganda.

Ten Archbishops (Primates) from other Provinces in the Anglican Communion were also present – Burundi, Rwanda, Sudan, Kenya, Indian Ocean, Nigeria, Jerusalem and the Middle East, England, Scotland, and North America – along with other Bishops from Kenya, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Australia, United States of America, and England.

The President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, attended the function and addressed the gathering, urging the Church to increase their ministry to young people and to guide the youth in moral, upright, and productive living.

L to R: Abp Stanley Ntagali, Abp John Sentamu, Abp Bob Duncan, Preacher, during the Procession

The Most Rev. John Sentamu, Archbishop of York and a Ugandan by birth, represented the Archbishop of Canterbury and read a letter of greeting and congratulations from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The preacher for the service was the Most Rev. Robert Duncan, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America.  Preaching from Philippians 2:5-8 and John 21:18, Archbishop Duncan addressed two vocations for the Church of Uganda and the new Archbishop.

Archbishop Duncan cited Paul’s invitation to “have the mind of Christ,” and noted “God has especially called you [Church of Uganda] to the humility – the servanthood – of the East African Revival. You know, better than most Christians that you are sinners saved by grace.”

Referencing John 21:18, Archbishop Duncan spoke directly to the new Primate and his wife about their calling in this new stage of ministry. “Becoming Archbishop means going where you do not plan to go.  You are to have the mind of Christ in a very new way.  The Lord Jesus is speaking to you as He spoke to Peter.  You Stanley, and Mama, are to die and to live.  Many days you will be carried where you do not want to go.  You will be Christ’s servant more than ever now, as you seek to serve Him by being the servant of the servants of God.”

The enthronement service combined the singing of traditional Anglican hymns with spontaneous outbreaks of Tukutendereza, the traditional hymn of the East African Revival.

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, retiring Archbishop, handed over the Provincial Staff to Archbishop Ntagali, thus symbolizing the transfer of spiritual authority from one Archbishop to another. The congregation broke out into spontaneous and extended applause, showing their love and affection for both Archbishops.

In his Charge, the new Archbishop pledged to finish the construction of Church House and ensure that it generates income for the Church’s wider ministry. He identified support for Uganda Christian University, Theological Education, youth and children’s ministry, GAFCON, and HIV/AIDS ministry as priorities.

The Rt. Rev. Stanley Ntagali was elected the 8^th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda during a meeting of the House of Bishops on 22^nd June. Bishop Ntagali was consecrated in December 2004 as the first Bishop of Masindi-Kitara Diocese.

The retiring Archbishop, the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, announced his early retirement in January 2012. Enthroned as Archbishop in January 2004, he served nine out of a possible ten years.

Archbishop Orombi’s tenure as Archbishop was marked by extensive travels and preaching around the country, a commitment to youth ministry, and the construction of Church House, a commercial building on Kampala Road.

Canon Egesa was born on 23rd March 1963 at Iziira, Kapyanga Sub-County in Bugiri District, and accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour in 1986. Since 2008 he has served as the Diocesan Secretary of Busoga Diocese. Prior to that, he served as an Archdeacon, a parish priest, and an Accounts Clerk, all in Busoga Diocese.

Canon Egesa received his Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Bishop Tucker School of Divinity and Theology of Uganda Christian University in 2005. He also holds certificates from CORAT Africa in Nairobi and the Institute of Fundraising and Resource Development in Kampala.

Canon Egesa is married with six children. He will succeed the Rt. Rev. Nicodemus Okille who served for twenty-eight years as the 2nd Bishop of Bukedi Diocese.

Canon Kasangaki received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour and was born again on 9^th December 1979 and has been serving as Assistant Chaplain of Uganda Christian University since 2009. Prior to that, he served as Diocesan Secretary of Masindi-Kitara Diocese. He has also served as a parish priest, School Chaplain, a Field Worker with LIFE Ministry, and Diocesan Secretary in Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese, the mother Diocese of Masindi-Kitara Diocese.

Canon Kasangaki received a Master of Arts Degree from Redcliffe College, UK, through the University of Gloucester. He also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education and a Bachelor in Divinity, both from Uganda Christian University. He has also received training in Management through Corat Africa.

The election was made by the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda sitting at Uganda Christian University on 23^rd August 2012.

Canon Kasangaki is married with five children. He will succeed the Rt. Rev. Stanley Ntagali who has served as the 1^st Diocesan Bishop since 2004. Bishop Ntagali was elected Archbishop of the Church of Uganda in July and will be enthroned on 16^th December 2012 and move to Kampala.

Christopher Ssenyonjo was the second Bishop of West Buganda Diocese and retired in August 1999.

The mainstream media continues to perpetuate misinformation about the 2007 defrocking of Christopher Ssenyonjo. This statement seeks to set the record straight.

In a July 2008 letter to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi explained, “After following due canonical process, I was forced in January 2007 to depose him [Christopher Ssenyonjo] as a Bishop in the Church of Uganda for presiding at the consecration as bishop of a Church of Uganda priest under discipline for moral failure who was being consecrated in a denomination of his own called Charismatic Church of Uganda.  One of the bishops assisting in the consecration is the also-defrocked Church of Uganda Bishop from N. Mbale – defrocked because he took a second wife.

“Of course, we do not approve of Christopher Ssenyonjo’s support for the organization Integrity, nor do we support his teaching on homosexuality. But, that was not why he was deposed. He was deposed because he set himself up as an Archbishop and recruited a defrocked Ugandan Bishop as a co-consecrator to consecrate a morally compromised man as a bishop of an independent church.”

The 2006 Press Release about the incident and the newspaper article reporting the incident are found below.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

24^th March 2006

Church of Uganda Disassociates herself from Christopher Ssenyonjo:

Statement by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda

On 15^th March 2006 I and all the people of Uganda woke up to read in The New Vision that Christopher Ssenyonjo, the second Bishop of West Buganda Diocese, had a new “Archbishop called Howard” in America, had formed a new denomination called the Charismatic Church of Uganda, and had consecrated a bishop.

I regret that Ssenyonjo did not have the courtesy to contact me personally about his decision to abandon the Church of Uganda and seek a new Archbishop.  Our church canons (church laws) provide for a Bishop to relinquish the exercise of ordained ministry when he affiliates with another religious body not in communion with the Church of Uganda.  When, however, a Bishop does not do that, our canons stipulate that he has abandoned the Church of Uganda.

I have, therefore, written to Christopher Ssenyonjo informing him that I, along with the Provincial Chancellor, the Honourable Ezekiel Muhanguzi, have presumed that he has abandoned the Church of Uganda.

In light of Ssenyonjo’s decision to establish a rebel denomination and consecrate his own bishops, we are obliged to warn our fellow Ugandans of the spiritual danger at hand.

• Ssenyonjo’s new denomination, the Charismatic Church of Uganda, has no relationship with the Church of Uganda.  We don’t know who the “Archbishop called Howard” in America is.  We cannot verify his testimony.  I, therefore, urge the people of Uganda to not become confused by the similarity of the name.  The Church of Uganda completely disassociates herself from Ssenyonjo and his new denomination.
• Christopher Ssenyonjo has been denied the right to exercise the office of a bishop or retired bishop in the Church of Uganda, including the spiritual authority as a minister of the Word and Sacraments.
• He is no longer entitled to wear the robes of a deacon, priest, or bishop in the Church of Uganda.  If you see him in a purple shirt and clerical collar, or the robes of a bishop, he is only pretending to be a bishop.  But, he is no longer a bishop of the Church of Uganda.
• He is no longer entitled to use the title Bishop Ssenyonjo, as if he were still a Bishop in the Church of Uganda.
• He is no longer entitled to represent the Church of Uganda locally, nationally, or internationally.

Furthermore, as our canons prescribe, we have advised all civil authorities in Uganda that any licence held by Ssenyonjo for which his ordination in the Church of Uganda was an indispensable qualification shall now be null and void.

A church or denomination formed in rebellion, such as Ssenyonjo’s Charismatic Church of Uganda, can only foster more rebellion among its members.  The sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was the sin of rebellion against God.  I want to pastorally warn the people of Uganda that participating in a church founded on rebellion can be spiritually dangerous and is unlikely to lead people in the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi

ARCHBISHOP OF THE CHURCH OF UGANDA.

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Bishop Ssenyonjo forms new church

Wednesday, 15th March, 2006

BACK: Ssenyonjo (seated) enthrones Tusuubira (kneeling) at the church on Saturday

By Henry Mutebi
Bishop Christopher Ssenyonjo, excommunicated from the Church of Uganda, has formed a new church at Wamala near Nansana in Wakiso district.

Ssenyonjo inaugurated the Charismatic Church of Uganda on Sunday and consecrated Bishop Christopher Lwanga Tusuubira to administer its pastoral work.

Formerly retired Bishop of West Buganda Diocese, Sssenyojo was banned by the mainstream church from preaching on its pulpits for openly supporting homosexuals. This was after the 1998 Lambeth Conference of world Anglican bishops where some white bishops supported gays and advocated for their recognition by the church, a bid which left the church split over the issue.

Ssenyonjo said he got the permission to open the church from their Archbishop called Howard in America where their main headquarters and donors are based.

He promised not to antagonise the mainstream churches and pledged cordial working relations with their leaders.

The new church has branches in different parts of the country and bishops including, Nathan Muwombi in charge of Mbale and Hannington Bahemuka of Bundibugyo.

The election was by secret ballot and was presided over by the Provincial Chancellor. Bishop Ntagali was elected with more than a two-thirds majority, per the Constitution of the Church of Uganda.

Bishop Ntagali was consecrated Bishop on 19th December 2004 and has served as the Bishop of Masindi-Kitara Diocese for eight years.

Born in Ndorwa County in Kabale District in 1955, he shifted with his family to Wambabya Parish in Kizirifumbi Sub-county in Hoima District when he was 16 years old. On Christmas Eve 1974, at the age of 19, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour and was born again.

He began working as a teacher in Wambabya Primary School, and later spent two years as a missionary in Karamoja Diocese.  He did his theological training at Bishop Tucker Theological College, St. Paul’s Theological College, Limuru, Kenya, and the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies in the UK.

After serving as a missionary in Karamoja Diocese, he served the remainder of his priestly ministry in various capacities in Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese until 2002, when he was appointed Provincial Secretary.

As a Bishop, Bishop Ntagali has represented the Archbishop in international meetings, served as the Chair of the Church House Board, and led the committee that designed guidelines for retiring Bishops.

Bishop Ntagali is married to Beatrice and they have five children.

On 8th January 2012 Archbishop Henry Orombi announced his intention to retire after nine years of service to continue a ministry of preaching, which has been his passion. He said, “I want to devote the rest of my life, while I am still able, to fulfilling this calling full-time.”

Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi has served as the 7th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. Elected in July 2003, he was installed as Archbishop on 25th January 2004 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe. He has served with distinction for nine years; consecrated 25 new Bishops and launched four new Dioceses. It is under his leadership that construction has begun on Church House, and his successor will dedicate it next year, God willing.

To be eligible to be an Archbishop, one must already be serving as a Bishop in the Church of Uganda, and must be at least 50 years old. Out of the 35 Bishops currently active in the Church of Uganda, 29 were eligible to become Archbishop.

The installation of the new Archbishop is expected to take place on 16th December at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe. At that time, Archbishop Henry Orombi will hand over the pastoral staff to Archbishop-elect Stanley Ntagali who will then be invested with the authority to lead the Church of Uganda as Archbishop. The Presiding Bishop at the enthronement will be the Dean of the Province, who is the longest serving Bishop in the Church at that time.

Between now and December, Archbishop Henry Orombi will continue to do the work of the Archbishop and the Bishop of Kampala Diocese, as well as bid farewell to each of the 34 Dioceses.

The Archbishop-elect will say farewell to his Diocese and prepare to move to Kampala. His current Diocese will elect a new Bishop, since he will leave his Diocese to also become the Bishop of Kampala Diocese.

The previous Archbishops of the Church of Uganda have been the following:
1.    Archbishop Leslie Brown, a British missionary, was the first Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire (1961-1966)
2.    Archbishop Erica Sabiti (1966 – 1974)
3.    Archbishop Janani Luwum (1974 – 1977). Martyred in 1977.
4.    Archbishop Silvanus Wani (1977 – 1983). In 1980, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire became a separate, Francophone Province, and Uganda became its own Province.
5.    Archbishop Yona Okoth (1983 – 1995)
6.    Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi-Nkoyoyo (1995 – 2004)
7.    Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi (2004 – 2012)

The Rt. Rev. Nicodemus Okille
DEAN OF THE CHURCH OF UGANDA.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

“Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on the Cross.  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:8-11.

Hardly three months have gone by since we celebrated Christmas.  This was a great reminder of the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.

During Easter we focus on the climax of God’s divine love, Jesus demonstrated to humanity.  In a world suffering from lack of love during his earthly life, though he did no wrong, he faced the cruelty of human selfish hearts.  He was arrested by the Religious Establishment and tortured to the point of exhaustion.  The Romans finally sentenced him to death.  He was crucified between two (2) criminals.  In his pain and agony he cried to God to forgive his tormentors.  His company on that Cross represented the fallen class of humanity, the humble, the poor, the helpless and homeless.

What do we experience today?

In Health:

Today we have a challenging world to live in.  Some of us who have the duty to serve Ugandans are denying the weak the means to live a healthy life.  What is happening when drugs are stolen, funds are embezzled, in a nation that has responsible people who should care for the citizens?  The weak go to look for treatment but are shunned away, ignored and rudely sent away by people who have the power to aid them in their healing process.  Jesus, may you look at us from the Cross with your face full of agony and compassion.

Leadership:

God has called leaders to lead by example.  The people need freedom from darkness of ignorance.  They look for direction to be free from shackles of poverty but are in dilemma as to who to turn to.  The abuse of power and authority today has made it impossible for some of our leaders to serve the weak in our communities.  The people are like “Sheep without a Shepherd.” Young people are looking for direction but are being misled.  You can almost hear them crying – “Who is there to listen to us?” Jesus looks from the Cross with his face full of agony and compassion.

Before Jesus died, he declared, “It is finished” meaning, the sacrifice at last has been offered for humanity’s freedom.  Therefore committed leadership must give hope and confidence to the people they are leading.  Jesus made a sacrifice on our behalf.

Your Neighbour:

When Jesus was on the Cross he was accompanied by two robbers.  One of them insulted him whereas the other defended him.  He walked among people and offered a hand of friendship.  All faithful people of God during this Easter Season, you need to extend friendship to someone in need.  Jesus demonstrated love for a neighbor even in his moment of pain.  We are compelled by his example to do the same.  This is very important for us today in Uganda in the light of the political differences faced by our people.  Be a good neighbor to one another as Jesus was.  He said to the robber, “Today I shall be with in paradise.”

Election of the next Archbishop:

Will you take some time to pray for the forthcoming election of the incoming Archbishop during this Easter Season.  The election will take place on June 22.   The prayer of faithful people is effective and God will respond if you do so diligently.

The Open Tomb:

May I call upon you to know that Easter is a clear message of victory for all who believe in Jesus Christ.  He who died, was buried finally overcame death the enemy of humanity.  What does that mean?  It means that we should never lose hope no matter what we are going through.  Victory is yours if you trust in Jesus Christ.

As Uganda is looking forward to celebrating 50 years of her political Independence, we who are alive should be thankful.  This history is ours to make this year 2012.  Let us take time to forgive each other as our Saviour did at the Cross.  He said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34.  Much pain has been caused in this country over the years through civil wars fought, conflict one with each other, political misunderstandings which left people wounded, disfigured and confused.

The Resurrection of Jesus comes with these words, “Peace be with you.” Luke 24:36.  This peace was paid for in full by the one who pronounced it – Jesus of Nazareth.

May you all have peaceful celebrations and receive strength to overcome all the obstacles and enemies on your way.

I send greetings to the President of Uganda – H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his family; all Members of Parliament and all Cultural Leaders in Uganda.  I acknowledge the contributions of the opposition and pray God to guide them in all their efforts towards the development of our country.  I salute the Council of Presidents of Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU).

MAY THE PEACE OF THE RISEN LORD FILL YOUR LIVES.

Thank you.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi

ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF UGANDA

Joseph Kony and the LRA left Uganda in 2006 at the beginning of the Juba peace talks and haven’t been in Uganda for more than five years. Since then, the people of Northern Uganda have been returning to their homes and have begun the long and difficult process of healing and rebuilding their lives, their families, and their communities.  The Church of Uganda has been deeply involved in that process at every level. While there are the normal challenges of any country, Uganda is a country at peace, working hard on development, and takes pride in its description as the “Pearl of Africa.”

Under the leadership of the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, the Church of Uganda made advocacy for the end of the war in Northern Uganda a primary concern. The Archbishop and Bishops of the Church of Uganda led a delegation of 70 people to Gulu and the Pabbo IDP camp in February 2004, immediately after his enthronement as Archbishop, as an act of solidarity with them and to offer encouragement. The Archbishop spoke out repeatedly on the need for peaceful resolution to the conflict, and met on several occasions with the President to advocate for peace and an end to the war. Through the Uganda Joint Christian Council, the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative, and our Dioceses operating in the affected areas, the Church of Uganda has worked with many other community leaders to restore peace in Northern Uganda and engage in the process of healing and rebuilding the North from the lingering effects of Joseph Kony.

Although the Juba Peace Talks did not produce a peace agreement, life without the threat of LRA attacks returned to Northern Uganda in 2006. The Church of Uganda, however, seriously regrets the failure of the peace talks that has resulted in Joseph Kony and the LRA continuing their brutal attacks on the people of Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. It grieves us deeply to know that others are still experiencing the brutality we lived through for twenty years.

The Church of Uganda has consistently advocated for peaceful means of conflict resolution. Archbishop Henry Orombi wrote in a January 2006 editorial to Christianity Today, “When you read reports of a certain number of LRA rebels killed by the Ugandan army, remember that these rebels are our abducted and brainwashed children.  When reading about LRA ‘rebels,’ always substitute the word ‘children’ for rebels.  The military solution has failed for 20 years; only genuine dialogue and negotiation has come closest to ending the war.”

Invisible Children have been a good partner with the Church of Uganda, and we thank them for standing with us when we were working to keep the need for a peaceful resolution to the war before the government. We also thank them for standing with us in the long and still ongoing process of rebuilding families and communities in Northern Uganda. They have helped us rebuild schools, send children to school, and build capacity among our teachers through training and exchange trips. It is unfortunate, however, that there was not a wider consultation with the local community on how to portray the current challenges facing the people of Northern Uganda and to accurately let them speak in their own voice.

The successful use of social marketing to get out a message is commendable and we urge Invisible Children to empower Ugandans with these tools and skills to enable their voices to be heard and appreciated.

While Invisible Children have been a good partner with the Church of Uganda, they are not the only organization working in Northern Uganda. The Church of Uganda, through its dioceses working in the affected areas, has a number of programmes related to rebuilding educational infrastructure, improving health services, providing water and sanitation services, orphan care, and community development projects. The Church is in every village with schools and health centres, is in touch with needs at the grassroots, and has a solid accountability structure. Some people may want to support the ongoing efforts to restore normal life to the people of Northern Uganda through other organizations.  Tax-deductible contributions for Church of Uganda projects that address current concerns in Northern Uganda can be sent to the US-based Anglican Relief and Development Fund, with a notation marked “Northern Uganda Rehabilitation” – www.anglicanaid.net.