A journalist and two others have been arrested in Masaka city in connection with allegations of interfering with the ongoing search for the next Bishop of West Buganda Diocese.
Jonan Bagirana, also known as Jumba, a local news reporter, was detained alongside two unidentified individuals at the Masaka Regional CID headquarters on Friday as part of ongoing investigations.
The trio had initially been arrested earlier in the week but were released on police bond.
However, they were recalled for further questioning following fresh developments in the inquiry.
According to police sources, they are suspected of circulating an anonymous petition aimed at discrediting one of the nominated candidates for the bishopric.
The diocese is currently in the process of selecting a successor to Bishop Henry Katumba Tamale, who is set to retire in March upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65.
However, the selection process has faced delays due to multiple petitions challenging the suitability of some candidates.
One petition, dated 22 January 2025, seeks to block the nomination of Reverend Canon Patrick Ssimbwa, the Archdeacon of Sembabule, over alleged personal misconduct.
The petition claims that he fathered a child with a woman named Naume Namakula from Lwemiyaga sub-county, whom he later abandoned. The child reportedly died in 2016 due to neglect.
Despite these allegations, Namakula has denied ever having a relationship with Canon Ssimbwa or having had a child with him.
Police are now working to establish the authenticity of the claims and the motive behind the petition’s timing.
The Bishop search committee had initially submitted three names for consideration: Reverend Canon Moses Kayimba, the Diocesan Secretary; Reverend Canon Ssimbwa; and Reverend Canon Guster Nsereko, the Archdeacon of Kakoma in Lwengo district.
However, the Church of Uganda Provincial Secretariat rejected the nominations, citing concerns raised by anonymous whistleblowers about irregularities in the selection process.
Some petitioners also opposed Reverend Canon Nsereko’s nomination, alleging that his name was included at the last minute without proper vetting by the diocesan synod.
They further accused the outgoing Bishop Katumba of interfering in the process, claims he has denied.
Meanwhile, Reverend Canon Kayimba’s candidacy is also under scrutiny, with some Christians and clergy arguing that he is an outsider from Namirembe Diocese.
They insist that the next Bishop should be chosen from among native clergy who better understand the region’s needs.
In November 2024, a group of concerned church members wrote to Archbishop Steven Kazimba Mugalu, requesting that the new Bishop of West Buganda be a local priest rather than an external appointee.
They alleged that there were behind-the-scenes efforts to manipulate the selection process in favour of an outsider.
Police continue to investigate the origins of the controversial petition, the role of the arrested journalist, and the broader allegations surrounding the bishopric search.
Longstanding Differences
This diocese has been engulfed in a series of controversies for decades, creating split factions and parallel foundations.
Reverend Cornelius Kateregga Bakubanja broke away from the West Buganda Diocese in April 2017 after serving for over 36 years.
He established the Orthodox Anglican Church (OAC), the first of its kind in Uganda with its base in Gayaza-Kyotera district.
This came after he contested for the position of Bishop of West Buganda Diocese in 2010 against the late Reverend Godfrey Makumbi, where he emerged second.
The OAC originates from the United States of America, with its main headquarters in North Carolina.
It is a global movement of Christians committed to the historic faith in the Anglican tradition.
It was founded in 1963 by Bishop James Parker Dees, who broke away from the Episcopal Church following allegations of immorality and doctrinal errors.
Uganda’s OAC has since consecrated six priests, including Reverend Erusa Nawamiki, Reverend Fred Mugaraasi, Reverend Maritazari Mugabi, Reverend Emmanuel Musasizi, Reverend Emmanuel Rusangiza, and Reverend Tito Aryatwijuka.
These priests have been deployed in Kampala, Mukono, Mbarara, Kyotera, and other parts of the country.
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