Kampala, Uganda: The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, has pushed back against critics urging him to emulate slain Archbishop Janani Luwum, saying his leadership approach prioritises impact over confrontation.
Speaking during a Sunday sermon at St John’s Church, Makerere University, where he installed Rev. Can. Michael Mukhwana as archdeacon, Kaziimba dismissed calls for outspoken defiance against alleged human rights abuses.
“Some people have approached me saying, ‘Why don’t you do like Janani Luwum?’ The man was killed! Do you think I can make an impact by being killed?” Kaziimba said. “Don’t I have a family? Why don’t you be sensitive?”
Kaziimba said his leadership style focuses on quiet engagement rather than public confrontation, arguing that not all impact comes through vocal criticism. “I choose and follow what God leads me to say, and not everything is said publicly,” he noted. “You can speak and speak but create no impact.”
Drawing from biblical references, he contrasted confrontational and strategic approaches to leadership. “John the Baptist did a good job but ended up losing his head. Nathan did a good job and saved a life. Not every time we use one approach,” he said.
The Archbishop’s remarks come amid mounting criticism from sections of civil society and political actors who accuse religious leaders of silence on issues including alleged abductions, illegal detentions, and restrictions on civil liberties.
Among the voices was the late Kalangala Woman MP Helen Nakimuli, who had earlier challenged clergy to “speak truth to power,” warning against silence in the face of alleged rights violations.
Her remarks, made days before her death on April 19, have continued to resonate in public discourse.
Church Leadership and New Archdeaconry
Besides the dissenting remarks, the sermon also marked the inauguration of St John’s Church, Makerere, as an archdeaconry headquarters under the Church of Uganda.
Kaziimba called for unity, discipline, and service among church leaders, urging those seeking change to adopt constructive engagement. “You can do God’s work by approaching power with love, quietly. People who are shouting sometimes end up doing nothing,” he said.
Rev. Can. Michael Mukhwana, the newly installed archdeacon, pledged to prioritise education and institutional growth within the Church of Uganda establishments.
Kaziimba also raised concern over poor access to places of worship, urging authorities to improve infrastructure. He specifically pointed to the deteriorating access road to St John’s Church hill, saying better roads would ease access for worshippers seeking spiritual support.
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Kampala, Uganda: The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, has pushed back against critics urging him to emulate slain Archbishop Janani Luwum, saying his leadership approach prioritises impact over confrontation.
Speaking during a Sunday sermon at St John’s Church, Makerere University, where he installed Rev. Can. Michael Mukhwana as archdeacon, Kaziimba dismissed calls for outspoken defiance against alleged human rights abuses.
“Some people have approached me saying, ‘Why don’t you do like Janani Luwum?’ The man was killed! Do you think I can make an impact by being killed?” Kaziimba said. “Don’t I have a family? Why don’t you be sensitive?”
Kaziimba said his leadership style focuses on quiet engagement rather than public confrontation, arguing that not all impact comes through vocal criticism. “I choose and follow what God leads me to say, and not everything is said publicly,” he noted. “You can speak and speak but create no impact.”
Drawing from biblical references, he contrasted confrontational and strategic approaches to leadership. “John the Baptist did a good job but ended up losing his head. Nathan did a good job and saved a life. Not every time we use one approach,” he said.
The Archbishop’s remarks come amid mounting criticism from sections of civil society and political actors who accuse religious leaders of silence on issues including alleged abductions, illegal detentions, and restrictions on civil liberties.
Among the voices was the late Kalangala Woman MP Helen Nakimuli, who had earlier challenged clergy to “speak truth to power,” warning against silence in the face of alleged rights violations.
Her remarks, made days before her death on April 19, have continued to resonate in public discourse.
Church Leadership and New Archdeaconry
Besides the dissenting remarks, the sermon also marked the inauguration of St John’s Church, Makerere, as an archdeaconry headquarters under the Church of Uganda.
Kaziimba called for unity, discipline, and service among church leaders, urging those seeking change to adopt constructive engagement. “You can do God’s work by approaching power with love, quietly. People who are shouting sometimes end up doing nothing,” he said.
Rev. Can. Michael Mukhwana, the newly installed archdeacon, pledged to prioritise education and institutional growth within the Church of Uganda establishments.
Kaziimba also raised concern over poor access to places of worship, urging authorities to improve infrastructure. He specifically pointed to the deteriorating access road to St John’s Church hill, saying better roads would ease access for worshippers seeking spiritual support.
Related
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.