Kampala, (UG): As Namirembe Diocese Bishop, Rt Rev Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira prepares to hand back the crosier to Archbishop Dr. Kazimba, a symbol that signifies the end of his ecclesiastical tenure in office, cracks continue to emerge in what seemingly is becoming a hot race to appoint his successor.
A reliable source at the Namirembe Hill told this publication that sections of Christians are now a common sight whispering to each other every after a church service at the oldest diocese in the history of the Church of Uganda.
Whereas the chancellor of the nominations committee portrays an image of someone incharge, some of his nomination committee members seem to be welding more authority than other committee members and their actions are very loud.
Members such as A. Sentamu, a vocal member of the committee are accused of creating confusion within the nominations committee.
Formerly at the centre of the Boys’ and Girls’ Brigade, and a Field Officer in Namirembe, Sentamu is currently undergoing theological studies at UCU taking a Masters in Divinity.
Credible sources within the selection committee revealed that Bishop James Bukomeko of Mityana Diocese seconded Sentamu to UCU which in itself is considered irregular since he didn’t consult his colleague at Namirembe or any of the top administrators within the cathedral.
The source further alleges that the same Sentamu had severally sought sponsorship from the Namirembe diocese but was always declined because of his disciplinary record in many church organizations he served let alone his disrespect to the sitting bishop along with many clergy.
Furthermore, the same gentleman who seems to unfortunately be one of the chancellor’s confidants, has been heard publicly talking ill of some of the candidates for bishop of Namirembe with whom he seems to be having a personal grudge!
Recently, the same gentleman has been attacking Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira branding him weak in decision making and maybe it’s now that the chancellor will get to know about his blue-eyed boys’ indiscipline which he constantly warns other members of the nominations committee!
Several Clergy who know this gentleman have no kind words either, and a lot of questions are being asked.
Sentamu’s Canonical obedience is now vested in Mityana Diocese as his sponsor at UCU and therefore is not fit to be part of the Bishop’s Nominations Committee of Namirembe Diocese. He belongs to Mityana.
Some questions need to be answered.
Why is the Diocesan Chancellor quiet and never disturbed by his blue-eyed friend Sentamu yet it’s common knowledge that his disciplinary record is unsatisfactory and is common knowledge among the Christian circles at Namirembe?
Why is the Chancellor campaigning for some clergy to become Bishop and yet he should be neutral?
The Provincial Secretary and the Archbishop need to immediately give guidance on the above questions or we risk repeating the shameful acts of Luweero Diocesan Christians.
A sound number of Clergy and Christians are committed to standing up for their Diocese should Chancellor Frederick Mpanga and his team mess up the process for the new Bishop.
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