Record seven bishops, including Archbishop Kaziimba, set for mandatory retirement in 2027

From L-R: Bishop John Wilson Nandaah (Mbale Diocese), Bishop Dan Zoreka (Diocese of Kinkiizi), Bishop Amos Magezi (North West Ankole Diocese), Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu (Church of Uganda), Bishop Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa (Ankole Diocese), Bishop Gaddie Akanjuna (Diocese of Kigezi), and Bishop Patrick Wakula (Central Busoga Diocese). Photo/Courtesy of Church of Uganda

The Church of Uganda has announced that Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu alongside six diocesan bishops will officially retire in August 2027 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, as stipulated by the Church’s constitution.

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According to Mr. Adams Sadiiki, the Church of Uganda Communications Officer, the announcement was made during the 28th Provincial Assembly held at Uganda Christian University (UCU), Mukono, on Thursday, August 6. This marks the highest number of bishops scheduled to retire in a single year in the history of the Church of Uganda.

Those slated for retirement include the Most Rev. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, who serves as the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala Diocese, as well as the Rt. Rev. Dan Zoreka of Kinkiizi Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole Diocese, and the Rt. Rev. Patrick Wakula of Central Busoga Diocese.

The list also includes the Rt. Rev. John Wilson Nandaah of Mbale Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna of Kigezi Diocese, and the Rt. Rev. Amos Magezi of North West Ankole Diocese.

Under the Church of Uganda Constitution, serving bishops and the Archbishop are mandated to step down upon clocking 65 years of age. Archbishop Kaziimba, who was elected as the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda on August 28, 2019, at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, succeeded the Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali in March 2020. Ahead of his upcoming exit, Archbishop Kaziimba is currently conducting a nationwide pastoral and farewell tour across the province.

To qualify for election as a bishop in the Church of Uganda, a candidate must be an ordained priest, at least 45 years old, and hold a recognized bachelor's degree in theology or a first degree in another field complemented by a theological diploma or postgraduate qualification. Meanwhile, an archbishop candidate must be an active, serving diocesan bishop within the province, at least 50 years old, and under the mandatory retirement age during the election year.

The Church of Uganda currently comprises 39 dioceses across the country. Namirembe Diocese, located on Namirembe Hill in Kampala, remains the oldest, having started in 1897 as the Diocese of Uganda before taking its current name in 1960.