Kazimba was elected the ninth Archbishop of the Church of Uganda on August 28, 2019, defeating other contenders, and was enthroned on March 1, 2020, at St Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, succeeding Archbishop Stanley Ntagali.
The Church of Uganda has appointed David Bahati, the Minister of State for Industry, to chair the organising committee for the enthronement of its 10th Archbishop, scheduled for August 15, 2027, as the Anglican Church prepares for a leadership transition following the retirement of Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kazimba Mugalu.
Bahati’s appointment was among the key resolutions reached during the first business meeting of the 28th Provincial Assembly Standing Committee (PASC), held on November 13, 2026, at the Provincial Secretariat in Namirembe, Kampala.
The appointment comes as the Church’s House of Bishops prepares to elect a successor to Kazimba, who is expected to retire in August 2027 upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65.
Kazimba was elected the ninth Archbishop of the Church of Uganda on August 28, 2019, defeating other contenders, and was enthroned on March 1, 2020, at St Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, succeeding Archbishop Stanley Ntagali.
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His tenure will therefore span seven years, although the Church’s leadership constitution provides for an Archbishop to serve up to 10 years or retire upon reaching 65, whichever comes first.
Who could replace Archbishop Kazimba?
Although the Church has not officially announced candidates, speculation is already growing over who could become the 10th Archbishop.
A November 11 report by Daily Monitor identified several serving bishops whose names are being mentioned in discussions surrounding the succession.
Among them are:
- Bishop Pons Awinjo Ozelle – Nebbi Diocese.
- Bishop Godfrey Loum – Northern Uganda Diocese.
- Bishop Wilson Kitara – Kitgum Diocese.
- Bishop Julius Caesar Nina – West Lango Diocese.
- Bishop Dr Charles Collins Andaku – Madi and West Nile Diocese.
- Bishop Paul Kiptoo Masaba – Sebei Diocese.
- Bishop Kosea Odongo – Soroti Diocese.
- Bishop Samuel Gidudu – North Mbale Diocese.
- Bishop James Bukomeko – Mityana Diocese.
- Bishop George Turyasingura – East Rwenzori Diocese.
- Bishop Johnson Twinomujuni – West Ankole Diocese.
- Bishop Barnabas Tibaijuka – West Rwenzori Diocese.
The report indicated that bishops from the Eastern and Northern regions could feature prominently in the succession discussions, partly because the last two Archbishops came from the Central and Western regions respectively.
However, the Church’s Provincial Secretary, Rev. William Ongeng, cautioned against treating the names circulating in public as official candidates, explaining that all 39 serving bishops are potential candidates and electors.
Under the Church’s election procedures, nominations are made when the House of Bishops convenes, with the provincial chancellor presiding over the election process.
The House of Bishops is expected to meet on January 27, 2027, at St Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, to elect the new Archbishop.
Who is David Bahati?
Minister of State for Industry and MP for Ndorwa County West
Bahati is a long-serving politician and member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), representing Ndorwa County West in Kabale District.
He previously served as Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Planning) between 2015 and 2021, before taking up responsibilities in the trade and industry docket.
An accountant by profession, Bahati holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Makerere University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Cardiff University in the United Kingdom.
He is also a Fellow of the Certified Chartered Accountants and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda.
His appointment to head the organising committee places him at the centre of preparations for one of the Church’s major leadership ceremonies, which is expected to attract Anglican leaders, government officials and Christians from across the country and abroad.
UCU gets another opportunity after Ebola disruption
The appointment of Uganda Christian University (UCU) to organise the 2027 celebrations of 150 years of Christianity in Uganda also follows the disruption of its assignment to coordinate this year’s Uganda Martyrs Day pilgrimage at Namugongo.
The Mukono-based institution had been entrusted by the House of Bishops with organising the 2026 Anglican Martyrs Day celebrations at the Namugongo shrine.
However, the government postponed the usual mass pilgrimage scheduled for June 3, 2026, following concerns over the Ebola outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and the risk of cross-border transmission.
The Church subsequently held a scaled-down scientific celebration at the Anglican shrine, with attendance restricted to invited guests in line with Ministry of Health guidelines.
Despite the disruption, UCU had already undertaken several improvements at the shrine, including renovation of sanitation facilities, construction of walkways, restoration of the compound, improvement of water supply and strengthening security infrastructure.
The university subsequently asked the Church leadership to allow it to complete the assignment, arguing that several activities planned for the celebrations, including conferences for women, youth and children, had been interrupted by the Ebola emergency.
Archbishop Kazimba supported the request, saying the university deserved an opportunity to complete what it had started.
The Church’s latest decision to entrust UCU with organising the June 3, 2027 celebrations therefore gives the institution another opportunity to coordinate a full-scale pilgrimage, alongside the commemoration of 150 years of Christianity in Uganda.
A significant year for the Anglican Church
The year 2027 will mark two major milestones for the Church of Uganda: the installation of its 10th Archbishop on August 15 and the commemoration of 150 years of Christianity in Uganda on June 3.
The anniversary will reflect on the arrival of the first Anglican missionaries in Uganda in 1877 and the subsequent growth of Christianity across the country.
The Uganda Martyrs Day celebrations will also provide an opportunity for thousands of pilgrims to gather at Namugongo to commemorate the Christian converts who were killed for their faith between 1885 and 1887.
The two events are expected to place the Church’s leadership, particularly the incoming Archbishop, at the centre of efforts to shape its next chapter.