Uganda: Anglicans Get New Archbishop

By Aloysious Kasoma
1 July 2012

On January 7, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi, the Anglican Church head in Uganda, told the House of Bishops that he wanted the election of his successor to take place in June 2012 - more than a year before his term officially ends in December 2014.

No sooner was the announcement made than speculation began over who would succeed him. There is an unwritten tradition in the Church of Uganda that the position must rotate among the various regions of the country. Over the last 40 years, the Church has seen archbishops from all the regions. Silvanus Wani (1977 - 1983) was from northern region, Yona Okoth (1983 - 1995) was from eastern, Livingstone Mpalanyi-Nkoyoyo (1995 - 2004) was from the central region, while Henry Luke Orombi (2004 - 2012) was from West Nile.

It was therefore unsurprising that Orombi's successor would come from western Uganda. In the elections at Namirembe on June 22, two Banyoro - Stanley Ntagali of Masindi Kitara Diocese and Nathan Kyamanywa of Bunyoro Kitara - were the strongest contenders. Ntagali emerged as winner, because he was seen to be 'more western'. Unlike Kyamanywa, who is a pure Munyoro, Ntagali is a Mukiga, who was born in Kabale but grew up and has lived almost all his adult life in Bunyoro. At the announcement of his successor, Orombi described Ntagali as "unique" - being the first bishop he consecrated. Ntagali also had the edge because he was formerly a provincial secretary of the Church of Uganda. As Bishop of Masindi Kitara, which Orombi described as the "United Nations of Uganda" due to its diverse tribal mix, Ntagali is said to speak several local languages.

"The first phase of our prayer is answered," Orombi said a visibly relieved Orombi, adding that the 8th Archbishop would mark "a new chapter."

Orombi re-assured his successor-to be that "the temperature in the Province is good and nice. The conflicts have been pushed aside, we are united and together." the rest