Bishop-elect Baalwa and the unique journey of Kampala Diocese

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The announcement of Canon Jackson Frederick Baalwa as the new Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Kampala has sparked several questions among those unfamiliar with the intricacies of the role and the election process.

On August 13, Canon Baalwa was introduced as the fifth Assistant Bishop of Kampala, but the announcement raised some confusion. A statement from All Saints’ Cathedral suggested that a special synod meeting had “confirmed Baalwa’s appointment,” which led to inquiries about the actual process.

One concerned individual asked, “Why does Kampala have an assistant bishop? Who elects the assistant bishop? What is the role of the synod in this process?” This query reflects a broader lack of understanding about the election and appointment of assistant bishops in the Church of the Province of Uganda.

Canon Naboth Muhaire, Provincial Chancellor of the Church of Uganda, clarified that, to begin with, Kampala Diocese is unique because the Archbishop of the province also serves as the Bishop of Kampala. Because of this, according to the constitution of the Church, an archbishop must have an assistant bishop to support him, similar to the role of an auxiliary bishop in the Catholic Church.

“In Kampala, having an assistant bishop is required by the provincial constitution,” Canon Muhaire explained. “While this assistant bishop is ordained, they do not possess full episcopal powers. The assistant bishop helps manage the heavy workload of the diocesan bishop, who also serves as Archbishop.”

However, he noted that assistant bishops are not exclusive to the Kampala Diocese. Other dioceses also have the option to appoint an assistant bishop according to their specific needs.

The Process of Electing Assistant Bishop

The ‘normal’ process for electing bishops involves establishing a nomination committee, where candidates express their interest in the position. The committee reviews and shortlists qualified candidates, whose names are then examined by the diocesan synod. The synod votes on the most suitable candidates, whose names are subsequently forwarded to the House of Bishops for the final election.

However, Canon Muhaire notes that for an assistant bishop, the archbishop (in Kampala diocese) or the diocesan bishop (in other dioceses) selects the candidate, ensuring they meet the necessary qualifications.

“The bishop nominates someone who he believes will assist effectively in fulfilling his responsibilities. This ensures there is no conflict of interest, as the bishop selects an assistant who aligns with his vision for his tenure which is normally laid out in the bishop’s charge,” he explains.

Muhaire adds that once the name is presented to the House of Bishops, it is discussed, and if the candidate meets the required standards and qualification, the House approves the nomination.

“However, if the House has concerns about the candidate’s qualifications, they can reject the nomination, prompting the archbishop or diocesan bishop to propose another candidate. If the candidate is approved, they are designated as bishop-elect and their name is subsequently presented or communicated to the diocesan synod,”

His explanation aligns with Article 13(2) of the Provincial Constitution 1972 as amended in 1994 and 2016, which says that; “… Assistant Bishop may be nominated and appointed by the appropriate Diocesan Bishop after consultation with the Diocesan Synod, provided that such appointment shall FIRST Be sanctioned by the Archbishop and the House of Bishops.”

From this article it is clear that only the House of Bishops has the authority to elect bishops, including assistant bishops. The election process is rigorous, and the House of Bishops has previously rejected candidates who did not meet the required standards. Assistant bishops, while ordained as bishops, are not enthroned, marking a key distinction from other bishops.

Regarding the appointment of Canon Baalwa as assistant bishop, the process was conducted in strict accordance with established procedures. The Archbishop announced during a special synod that Canon Baalwa’s nomination as the fifth assistant bishop of Kampala had been unanimously approved by the House of Bishops, sitting in Hoima Diocese, on August 10, 2024.

However, confusion arose among the faithful when the August 13 Synod at All Saints’ Cathedral implied that the synod itself had confirmed Baalwa’s appointment. This discrepancy was further compounded by the unusual manner of the announcement.

Traditionally, the House of Bishops announces the elected bishop directly to the public. For instance, Bishop Hannington Mutebi’s election in 2013 was confirmed publicly at Lweza, and similarly, Bishop Zac Niringiye’s appointment in 2004 followed the same procedure. Normally, once the House of Bishops completes its selection, the Archbishop or Provincial Secretary makes the official announcement.

Assistant Bishop for Kampala Diocese

Ivan Naijuka, the Communication Officer for Kampala Diocese, emphasized the critical need for an assistant bishop. He explained that this need is driven by the heavy workload of the diocesan bishop, who also serves as the Archbishop, and is often burdened by the demands of both roles.

“With the Archbishop handling extensive pastoral care throughout all the dioceses and managing significant administrative duties, having an assistant bishop is essential to support and alleviate the workload, ensuring that both pastoral and administrative responsibilities are effectively addressed.”

Initially, after the creation of Kampala Diocese in 1972, the Church did not appoint an assistant bishop until 1982 when Lucas Gonahasa, who had previously served as Assistant Bishop of Bukedi, was named Assistant Bishop of Kampala.

Gonahasa was succeeded by Eliphaz Maari, who served from 1997 to 2004. After Maari, Zac Niringiye took over in 2005 and served until his retirement in 2013. The position was then filled by Hannington Mutebi, who was consecrated and installed as assistant bishop in 2014.

The Making of Kampala Diocese

The establishment of the Kampala Diocese was initially marked by disagreements between the Church of Uganda on one side and Namirembe and West Buganda dioceses on the other.

In his 1997 doctoral thesis titled A Historical-Ecclesiological Study of the Church of Uganda with Particular Reference to Post-Independence Uganda, 1962-1992, David Zac Niringiye notes that when Erica Sabiti was elected Archbishop, in 1965, he was serving as the Bishop of Rwenzori Diocese, based in Fort Portal, approximately 200 miles from the centre of the Church.

Niringiye, who later served as an assistant bishop of Kampala, also noted that before Bishop Leslie Brown stepped down from his role as Archbishop, there was considerable debate over whether future archbishops should consistently hold the See of Namirembe.

“Without realising the consequences it was decided and put in the constitution that a bishop elected to become the next archbishop should remain bishop of the diocese he occupied prior to his election. However, the difficulties of an archbishop residing 200 miles away from the centre raised the need to either create a new- and nearby diocese or free the Archbishop from any Diocesan responsibilities,” Niringiye writes.

On Sunday, January 31, 1971, Archbishop Erica Sabiti faced an awkward moment when he was barred from entering St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe.

When the John Bikangaga-led Commission on Canon Law and Constitution began soliciting proposals from dioceses, George Oguli from Soroti Diocese suggested amending the Constitution to establish a new diocese in Kampala. The proposal to create a new diocese in Kampala emerged as a major recommendation in the Commission’s interim report. By December 1970, this recommendation was incorporated into the new constitution.

However, records show that the process faced significant opposition from West Buganda and Namirembe dioceses, which even threatened to secede from the Church of Uganda.

Enter President Amin

The impasse remained vivid until President Idi Amin Dada intervened. In his doctoral paper, Niringiye questions whether Amin was a “hand of God,” given his efforts to address the issues that had arisen within the Anglican Church. Amin, who had declared himself president for life after staging a military coup in 1971, exerted similar authority over his own Muslim faith.

“It was Amin who used the force of his position as President to bring the Church in Buganda and the rest of the Church of Uganda to a roundtable conference, and resolved the impasse,” Niringiye points out.

In his book I Love Amin, Bishop Festo Kivengere describes how Amin, who met the bishop at the Conference Centre in Kampala (now the Serena Hotel), sought to resolve the issues surrounding the Church. Amin, determined to avoid a divided church in “his country,” was actively involved in efforts to address and unify the Anglican community.

“We kept having surprises from Idi Amin. One came when all was not well among the top leaders of our Church of Uganda in late 1971,” Kivengere, mostly referred to as the Bill Graham of Africa wrote.

After days of discussions, amid threats from Amin, who had proposed relocating Namirembe to Mukono, all bishops—including those from West Buganda and Namirembe—agreed to the new constitution. This resolution led to the creation of the Diocese of Kampala.

Despite Amin’s forceful role in brokering the truce and his later claims of having saved the church, bishops like Kivengere maintained that it was ultimately “Jesus, the One-coming-down,” who resolved the issue, perhaps using Amin as His hand, as Niringiye would ponder.

A video captured by Reuters during the installation ceremony shows President Amin in attendance, hailed as a hero of the day. However, just five years later, Amin’s legacy took a dark turn when he was implicated in the murder of Archbishop Janani Luwum, who had succeeded Erica Sabiti in 1974.

On January 19, 1972, Archbishop Erica Sabiti was installed as the Bishop of Kampala, bringing an end to a five-year impasse within the Church of Uganda. In 2022, the diocese, with its headquarters at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero, celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Bishop-elect Baalwa is due to succeed Hannington Mutebi as the fifth Assistant Bishop of the Diocese.

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