The Consecration of Rev. Gad Akanjuna as the next Bishop of Kigezi Diocese is hanging in balance after a section of aggrieved Christians threatened to seek a Court Injunction halting the ceremony slated for 29th May 2022.
This follows a meeting that was held at the Archbishop’s office yesterday, to discuss a petition in which a section of Christians from Kigezi Diocese protesed the legality of activities involved in the election of Akanjuna.
The meeting that attracted about 30 selected people included five petitioners with their their lawyer, church elders from the Diocese of Kigezi, and Officials from the Church of Uganda led by the Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.
Akanjuna the Archdeacon of All Saints Church in Kabale town, was elected by the House of Bishops in February 2022, to replace Bishop George Bagamuhunda who announced early retirement in 2020, citing health challenges as the chief reason for planing to retire at 63 years instead of 65 that is stipulated in the Church of Uganda Constitution.
A section of Christians have since disputed the proceedure in which Akanjuna was elected, especially at nomination level, arguing that a lot of syndicated irregularities were involved with intention to ring fence the office and prevent other interested people from contesting.
Among other complaints, the Christians said that Akanjuna was not academically qualified in line with the Church Canon laws.
In a written petition dated 31st March 2022 addressed to the Archbishop , the complainants quote Canon 3.7 of the Church of Uganda Constitution which indicates that any candidate for the appointment to the office of the Bishop “shall be a holder of atleast a Bachelors Degree in Theology or Divitiny or a first degree in any other field, with a Post- Graduate Diploma in Theology or Divinity.”
They argue that Akanjuna only holds a Bachelors degree in education and an ordinary diploma in theology which he attained before he joined priestly service.
Through their lawyers of Nzige, Jamero and Company Advocates, the Christians sought to nullify the election of Akanjuna, cancel the consecration program and organise a fresh nomination and election process in which a right Bishop would be chosen.
During a closed meeting held on 7th April 2022 in the Archbishop’s Office, the Most Rev. Kaziimba Mugalu reportedly agreed that the election involved irregularities, but he called for reconciliation and pleaded with the petitioners to allow continuation of the consecration program for Gad Akanjuna, as they make more consultations on the matter.
However, the aggrieved Christians insisted on having Akanjuna’s election cancelled.
The lead lawyer Drake Twebaze from Nzige, Jamero and Company Advocates said they would seek for a court injunction halting the consecration of Akanjuna if their demands are not met. Twebaze said the petitioners would not let the calls for reconciliation blind the need to follow the Church canon laws.
One of the Petitioners, also the Deputy Speaker of Council Rubanda District, Mbabazi Pierre Nyetegyereize said there was no need for reconciliation since they were not against Akanjuna or anyone as an individual, but the irregularities within the electoral process.
Dickson Kyabaseeta, another petitioner, said that they also demanded for the resignation of the Kigezi Diocese Chancellor Can. Bruce Kyereere who presided over a chaotic election that reportedly resulted into arrest of Church leaders in 2013 when outgoing Bishop George Bagamuhunda was nominated, arguing that the same Chancellor again presided over the nomination of Akanjuna.
The Former Rukiga County MP Adison Kakuru who participated in the meeting confirmed that the Archbishop asked for reconciliation. Kakuru who is also the Chairperson of Kabale University Council said the issues raised by the petitioners were minor, and would be handled without affecting the consecration program of Rev. Gad Akanjuna as Bishop of Kigezi Diocese on 29th May 2022.
This media house attempted reaching the Church Of Uganda Provincial Secretary Can. William Ongeng for a comment, but he could not pick our repeated phone calls.
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