Over twenty priests and clergy members in the Anglican diocese of Namirembe the Anglican diocese of Namirembe have been transferred and those who have clocked the mandatory retirement age of 65 bid farewell, in a major shake up by the Bishop Moses Banja over the weekend.
In the changes that take effect from 1st January 2025, the prelate also made new directives to be followed by priests, lay readers and Christians in the diocese.
There was tension in the end-of-year synod meeting that convened in Bishop Dunstan Hall, as the Bishop read out names of those transferred, and new assignments to those who had just passed out from Uganda Martyrs Seminary Namugongo.
Among major changes, the retiring Dean of Namirembe Cathedral Rev. Can. Jonathan Kisawuzi was succeeded by Ven. Dunstan Kiwanuka Mazinga who has been the Archdeacon of Gayaza, while the head of evangelisation in the diocese Rev. Samuel Muwonge goes to Kitende and is replaced by former parish priest of Mutundwe Rev. Steven Lumu Lwasi.
In the synod meeting, six priests at the level of Canons were commissioned and among those commissioned is the Bishop’s wife Prof. Olivia Nassaka Banja. Others are Ven. Emmanuel Kenneth Ssewanyana of Kazo, Ve. Dunstan Kiwanuka Mazinga, Ven. George Wilson Kakooza of Luzira, Rev. Patrick Katoloba and Rev. Lovinsa Kiwanuka.
In the Bishop’s new directives, all church vehicles must be branded clearly indicating church, parish and archdeaconry to which it belongs, and duly registered in Namirembe Development Organisation (NADO).
Transferred ministers were asked to leave behind the vehicles they have been using because according to the directive, these are not personal vehicles. Ministers were also refrained from participating in services organised in bars and other related places.
Any priest found guilty of harassing a lay reader will be liable to prosecution in a prescribed church tribunal, while ministers were also refrained from wearing attires haphazardly picked from anywhere, and to stick to the acceptable garments including grey or black garments only.
Chancellor Fred Mpanga and other diocesan lawyers were directed to name barristers to plead in cases of the churches, parishes and archdeaconries, and priests were refrained from engaging personal lawyers in church matters.
Fresh graduates from Uganda Martyrs Seminary Namugongo given assignments include Ordinand Edison Kibalama who was assigned as Deputy Vicar in Entebbe, Ord. Frederick Nkata who goes to Gayaza, Ord. John Kasasa who goes to Namavundu and Ord. Margaret Nambolanyi who went to Namirembe Diocese.
Others include Ord. Joseph Luyombya who was sent to Bukasa, Ord. Kenneth Lukambugga who was sent to Seguku and Ord. Samuel Tusuubira who goes to Kibuye. Ord. Isaac Lugambwa goes to Kibuye, Ord. Fred Ndiwalana was sent to Katwe, Ord. James Kalongo to Kireka, Nathan Nsubuga to Bbuye and Amos Ssaazi was sent to Ssese.
In the other transfers, former Vicar of Namirembe Cathedral Rev. Abraham Muyinda became parish priest for Nkumba, while Rev. Julius Mutebi from Nkumba was transferred to Ndejje. From Ndejje Rev Maxwell Ssebugwawo goes to Kisaasi.
Former Kisaasi parish priest Rev. Emmanuel Lutaaya was made Vicar for Namirembe Cathedral Rev. Alex Serwadda is the pioneer priest for the newly created parish of Najjeera and is also to serve as a lecturer at Namugongo seminary.
Others transferred include Rev. Noah Ntume from Luzira St. Stephen to become Deputy Vicarfor the newly created archdeaconry of Namugongo. Also transferred are Rev. Steven Mpoza formerly at Nankinga,who now moves to Sekiwunga, while Rev. Herbert Settumba was removed from Kyabando to St. Apollo Nkumba and Rev. Christopher Kisakye from Mbalwa to Kitintale.
Also in the list of transferees are Rev. Jane Namugenyi formerly in Kitintale, Rev. Samuel Sekubunga formerly of Gayaza, Rev. Godfrey Kyanda from Masajja, and Rev. Paul Nsubuga from Mengo SS.
Others are Rev. Nathan Kibirango,Rev. Edward Kayemba, Rev. Semei Sebina Ssekiziyivu, Rev. William Kizimula Mpalanyi, Rev. Augustine Kayemba, Rev. Henry Maguzi and Rev. Paul Kabanda Nyanzi.
ENDS…