In July, retired Bishop James William Ssebaggala took on an administrative and pastoral role in Luweero Diocese following his appointment by COU Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu.
On a recent Sunday, Bishop Ssebaggala was conducting a confirmation service at Trinity Church of Uganda Katikamu in Wobulenzi town council. During preparations for the service, a group of individuals arrived in a minibus and disrupted the proceedings, demanding that Bishop Ssebaggala vacate the Diocese so that Rev. Canon Godfrey Kasana Ssemakula could become the fourth Bishop of Luwero Diocese.
This disturbance led to a scuffle between the disruptors and the churchgoers who wanted the confirmation to proceed. Police from Katikamu Police Post intervened, using live bullets to restore order, with support from Wobulenzi Police Station.
The Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson, Sam Twineamazima, confirmed the arrest of four individuals out of the six involved in the disruption. The arrested individuals are Joel Droma, Ronnie Bakaki, Owen Twesigye, and Moses Mugambe, and they face charges of malicious damage to church property and trespass.
Following the incident, Bishop Ssebaggala continued with the confirmation service, affirming over 100 children into Christianity. He condemned the attack, stating that it would not deter him from fulfilling his duties until the Diocese appoints its permanent Bishop.
Rev. Canon Godfrey Kasana Ssemakula’s election as Bishop had been nullified due to allegations of misrepresented integrity during the nomination and election process. However, some members of the Diocese argue that the House of Bishops made an erroneous decision based on unfounded allegations of misconduct. Seven Christians from Luwero Diocese have filed a petition with the High Court, seeking to declare the nullification of Ssemakula’s election as null, void, and without legal effect. The case is scheduled for hearing on October 10 of this year in the High Court in Kampala.
