Although no official candidates have emerged, church sources say informal consultations and lobbying have already begun behind the scenes.
The Church of Uganda is preparing for one of its most significant leadership transitions in recent years as Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu approaches retirement next August, triggering growing interest in who will become the province’s next spiritual leader.
While the formal succession process has not yet commenced, discussions within church circles have gathered momentum, with several bishops being mentioned as potential successors to the 64-year-old archbishop, who is expected to step down on August 14, 2027, in line with the Church of Uganda’s mandatory retirement age of 65.
The transition comes as Archbishop Kaziimba enters the final phase of his ministry and embarks on a series of pastoral farewell visits across the country. During recent engagements at St Matthew’s Cathedral in Buhugu, Sironko District, and St Andrew’s Cathedral in Mbale City, he urged Christians to remain united despite differences in opinion, background and perspective.
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Drawing lessons from 1 Peter 3:8, Kaziimba called on believers to embrace love, humility and compassion while maintaining harmony within the church. He also used the visits to promote the Church of Uganda’s nationwide campaign to plant 15 million trees and encouraged communities to remain alert against Ebola and other public health threats.
As attention increasingly shifts toward the church’s next leader, Provincial Chancellor and Legal Adviser Naboth Muhairwe said any serving diocesan bishop who is not due for retirement next year remains eligible for consideration.
The House of Bishops, which is responsible for electing the archbishop, is expected to begin the succession process in the coming months. Under the Church of Uganda Constitution and Provincial Canons, the archbishop must be elected from among serving diocesan bishops and later confirmed through established ecclesiastical procedures before consecration and enthronement.
Although no official candidates have emerged, church sources say informal consultations and lobbying have already begun behind the scenes.
Among the names attracting attention are Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe of North Kigezi Diocese, Bishop Paul Masaba of Sebei Diocese and Bishop Pons Awinjo Ozelle of Nebbi Diocese.
According to sources familiar with discussions within the church, the three bishops are viewed as strong contenders because of their leadership experience, age and the number of years they would still be eligible to serve before reaching retirement age.
Church records indicate that Asiimwe and Masaba are both 58 years old, while Ozelle is 57. If elected, each would have between seven and eight years before reaching the mandatory retirement age.
The succession debate is unfolding against the backdrop of a broader leadership transition within the Church of Uganda. Six diocesan bishops are expected to retire before the end of next year after attaining the retirement age of 65.
Those due to leave office include Bishops Dan Zoreka of Kinkiizi Diocese, Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole Diocese, Gaddie Akanjuna of Kigezi Diocese, Patrick Wakula of Central Busoga Diocese, Amos Magezi of North-West Ankole Diocese and John Wilson Nandaah of Mbale Diocese.
Muhairwe said preparations for leadership transitions in the affected dioceses have already begun, including farewell pastoral visits and succession planning.
The Church of Uganda currently comprises 39 dioceses across the country, each headed by a diocesan bishop. The archbishop serves not only as the spiritual head of the province but also as Bishop of Kampala Diocese.
To qualify for the position, a candidate must hold at least a degree in theology or divinity. Where a bishop’s first degree is in another field, a postgraduate qualification in theology or divinity is required. Bishops with at least five years of episcopal experience are generally considered to have an advantage during the election process.
Whoever succeeds Kaziimba will inherit leadership of a church navigating both internal reforms and wider debates within the global Anglican Communion.
Since his election in August 2019 and enthronement in March 2020, Kaziimba has overseen efforts to strengthen financial accountability within church institutions, complete and operationalise Church House, expand evangelism programmes and advocate for family values, peaceful elections and national unity.
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He also guided the church through the COVID-19 pandemic and became a prominent figure within the conservative Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), particularly on issues relating to sexuality and church doctrine.
Meanwhile, debate continues over proposed constitutional reforms that could reshape future church leadership. Among the proposals under consideration are raising the retirement age for bishops and archbishops from 65 to either 70 or 75 years, extending leadership terms to up to 15 years and revising procedures for electing bishops.
As Archbishop Kaziimba’s retirement draws closer, attention is expected to intensify around the succession process, with the choice of his successor likely to influence the direction of the Church of Uganda for years to come.
