KAMPALA, UGANDA: Ten candidates in the race to replace Rt. Rev Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira as Bishop of Namirembe diocese have submitted their applications to the Diocesan council, TheObserver wrote on Wednesday.
Bishop Luwalira is set to retire on December 8, 2023, on clocking 65 years, and bring to an end a span of 14 years at the helm of Namirembe Diocese.
According to the local daily, the applications of the ten candidates were received by the chancellor of Namirembe diocese, Counsel Fred Mpanga, who will this month convene a 15-member diocesan council to choose two candidates and their names will be forwarded to the House of Bishops for the final selection and election.
For one to become a Bishop of Namirembe Diocese, he must have a degree in theology or divinity on top of serving 10 years in the priesthood. The 10 years are determined from the time the priest was ordained. The other criteria include track record, management skills, behaviour, and others.
When reached out for a comment on the criteria, Counsel Mpanga was cagey and said; “The process leading to the election of a bishop is subject to procedures and processes. As a person subject to the said processes and procedures, I am not at liberty to provide answers to the questions you have fielded,” he said.
“I hope you will be able to appreciate the answer I have provided and also respect the situation I am in at this point in time.”
WHO IS WHO IN THE RACE?
REV CAN MOSES KAYIMBA: 50 YEARS
Rev Kiyimba is currently the diocesan secretary for the West Buganda diocese, where he was sent as a missionary. He served as a parish priest in Kibuye and Namasuba.
Kiyimba holds a diploma in Education from Mubende National Teachers College, a diploma in Theology from Uganda Martyrs Seminary Namugongo, a bachelor’s degree in Divinity from UCU, and a master’s degree in Education and Management Administration.
On a personal note, he is known to be a calm administrator and is credited with mobilizing resources that saw the construction of the perimeter wall at Mengo archdeaconry, among others.
VEN REV CAN MOSES BANJA: 59 YEARS
Ven Rev Can Moses Banja is the archdeacon of Luzira archdeaconry. He has been at the helm of the Archdeaconry since 2021. He holds a diploma in Education and a degree in Divinity from Uganda Christian University (UCU). He served as a diocesan secretary for Mukono diocese before he was dispatched to his mother diocese, Namirembe.
He later served as the human resources manager at Namirembe Diocese before assuming his new role as the assistant vicar of Namirembe Cathedral.
REV EDWARD STEPHEN KABANDA: 53 YEARS
Rev Kabanda served as curate of Namirembe Cathedral, assistant vicar of Nateete, and chaplain of Buddo junior school. He has a diploma in Education and a degree in Divinity.
He formerly worked as the parish priest of Kibiri Church of Uganda and St Rachael Church of Uganda. He holds a diploma and degree in theology and a diploma in Education.
VEN CAN JOHN GITTA KAVUMA: 58 YEARS
Ven. Can. Kavuma is the archdeacon of Entebbe Archdeaconry. He assumed office in 2021. He served as a priest in Maganjo, St Apollo Kivebulaya Church of Uganda, Namasuba parish, St John’s Church of Uganda Entebbe, and Mengo archdeaconry, where he served for 15 years.
He holds a certificate in Theology from Uganda Martyrs Seminary, Namugongo as well as a master’s in Planning and Management from Nkumba University.
VEN BK BUWEMBO: 50 YEARS
Ven Buwembo is the archdeacon of Nateete Archdeaconry. He holds a diploma in Theology and a master’s degree from Nkumba University. He served at St Mark’s Namate, Katuuso Church of Uganda, and Munyonyo, from where he was appointed archdeacon.
He is also the head of the Estates department of Namirembe Diocese.
REV SEMEI SSEBINA SEKIZIYIVU: 55 YEARS
Rev Ssebina is currently the parish priest of Namayumba Church of Uganda, Nateete archdeaconry, and previously served at St Stephen Kiwafu, Kiteezi Church of Uganda. He holds a master’s degree in counselling and guidance and a diploma in Theology.
REV EMMANUEL LUTAAYA: 58 YEARS
Rev Lutaaya is the parish priest of Kisaasi Church of Uganda. Ordained in Mityana diocese, he previously served as the parish priest of Nsangi, Kawempe-Kirokole, Bunamwaya, Bbira, and Entebbe Kiwafu.
He holds a diploma in Theology and a degree in Education. Naturally calm, he once served on the Mission Board of the diocese.
REV DR TITI TIMOTHY NSUBUGA: 59 YEARS
Ren Nsubuga previously served as treasurer for Namirembe Diocese but currently serves in the Episcopal church in the USA. He holds degrees in Commerce and Divinity as well as a PhD in Theology.
REV ESAU BBOSA KIMANJE:
Rev Kimanje is the principal of Uganda Martyrs Seminary in Namugongo and the priest of Namugongo parish. He holds a degree in education, a degree in theology, and a master’s degree in Divinity.
REV DR ENOCK KIMANJE
He is the parish priest of Kawala Church of Uganda, Kazo archdeaconry. He served as a chaplain at King’s College Budo. He holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s, and a PhD in Human Resource Management.
Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, who rose from grass to grace, is credited with extending the church closer to the believers, superintending the starting of new churches and archdeaconries, refurbishing Namirembe cathedral, a project that cost over Shs 3 billion, and establishing Namirembe FM, among other projects.
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