Christians protest fresh nominations for Luwero Bishop’s seat

Luwero, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A group of Christians has staged a demonstration to protest the recent nomination of candidates for the Luwero Bishop’s seat before their petition challenging the nullification of past elections is heard in court. The House of Bishops nullified the elections of Rev. Canon Kasana Ssemakula as the Fourth Bishop of Luwero Diocese on June 28th, 2023, citing credible information that his integrity was misrepresented during the nomination and election process.

On Sunday, the Search Committee, including the Diocese Chancellor Apollo Makubuya, Rebecca Nalwanga, Rev. Canon Keith Muwanga, Canon Christopher Nkoyoyo, and Amos Giita, among others, left Luwero town for an undisclosed venue to nominate two candidates. Meanwhile, supporters of Rev. Canon Kasana staged a demonstration at St Mark Cathedral in Luwero town, urging the postponement of the nomination exercise.

Demonstrators carried placards denouncing the exercise and committee members. Moses Kakembo, one of the protesters, revealed that he, along with others, had taken the matter to the High Court challenging the decision to nullify Kasana’s election. Kakembo expressed surprise at the search committee rushing to conduct fresh nominations before the court decides on the petition.

The demonstrators appealed to Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu to halt the exercise until the court resolves the matter. Despite police dispersing the protesters and confiscating their placards, no arrests were made. Erastus Kibirango, the lawyer for the Christians, stated their intention to apply to the High Court for a permanent injunction against the nomination of another Bishop until the case is resolved.

The Luwero Diocese and the Search Committee are yet to respond to the Christians’ demands. Caretaker Bishop Rt. Rev. James William Ssebaggala mentioned that the search for a new Bishop was ongoing and criticized the protesters, stating they were in denial rather than accepting the House of Bishops’ resolution.

In October 2023, Principal Judge Flavian Zeija dismissed a case challenging the nullification of Kasana, citing that the petitioners brought the case against the wrong party, and the court wasn’t competent to handle spiritual matters. Despite this, the Christians have rejected the ruling and appealed to a higher court, which is yet to hear their appeal.

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URN