Hundreds of Christians in East Ruwenzori Diocese gathered at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Kamwenge District on Saturday to bid farewell to the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Most Rev. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, as he prepares to retire from active service.
Kaziimba is set to retire after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65 in accordance with the canons of the Church of Uganda, bringing to a close his tenure as the Church’s Archbishop.
Addressing the congregation during the farewell service, Kaziimba urged Christians to resist tribalism and other forms of division, warning that disunity could undermine both the Church and wider society.
“We must learn to live together as Christians and put aside the differences that divide us. Unity is the foundation of a strong Church and a progressive society,” Kaziimba said.
The Archbishop also called on Christians to intensify efforts to fight poverty, placing education at the centre of his message to families and communities.
He urged parents to prioritise the education of their children, saying it remains one of the most effective ways of breaking intergenerational poverty.
“If we want to break the cycle of poverty, we must invest in education. Parents should make the education of their children a priority because it opens opportunities and transforms lives,” he said.
A legacy of institutional growth
Leaders of East Ruwenzori Diocese said Kaziimba’s tenure had made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the Church of Uganda.
Led by the Head of Laity, Lay Canon Caleb Ahimbisibwe, the diocesan leadership commended the Archbishop for what they described as dedicated service and committed leadership.
“We appreciate Archbishop Kaziimba for the commitment and leadership he has given to the Church. His contribution to the growth of the Church will remain an important part of his legacy,” Ahimbisibwe said.
Among the achievements highlighted was the completion of Church of Uganda House, one of the major institutional projects undertaken during Kaziimba’s leadership.
Ahimbisibwe said the project was among the visible signs of the Archbishop’s impact and that the Church would continue building on the foundations laid during his tenure.
“The completion of the Church of Uganda House is among the achievements that demonstrate the impact of his leadership. We shall continue to build on the foundation he has laid,” he said.
A farewell and a message for the future
For Christians in East Ruwenzori Diocese, the farewell was not simply a ceremonial goodbye. It was an occasion to reflect on Kaziimba’s leadership and the themes that have featured prominently in his ministry, particularly unity, education and the fight against poverty.
As he prepares to leave active service, Christians said his call for communities to reject division and invest in education would remain relevant as the Church enters a new chapter.
At St Stephen’s Cathedral, the faithful marked the closing of an era while celebrating a period of leadership they said had left a lasting footprint on the Church of Uganda.
