Madi West Nile Diocese earmarks Shs90m for Archbishop Kaziimba’s farewell pastoral visit

ARUA CITY – Madi West Nile Diocese is set to host the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, this weekend for his farewell pastoral visit, with Shs90 million budgeted for the event.

The visit forms part of Archbishop Kaziimba’s tour of all 39 dioceses of the Church of Uganda ahead of his mandatory retirement on 15 August 2027. The farewell visits are intended to allow the Archbishop to thank clergy and Christians for their support, give accountability, promote unity, peace and reconciliation, and inspect or commission key church development projects.

Addressing journalists on Friday ahead of the Archbishop’s arrival, Moses Obeta, chairperson of the organising committee, said preparations are complete to receive the Archbishop and more than 2,500 Christians.

“We are already set to receive the Archbishop tomorrow. We welcome everybody to come and join hands in receiving him tomorrow at around 5 p.m.,” Obeta said.

He said the programme will include prayers at the Golden Jubilee Office Block project and the commissioning of Christ Church Ediofe, among other activities.

“Our first activity on Sunday morning will be the commissioning of Christ Church Ediofe. After the commissioning service, he is expected to return. At 9 a.m. he will have a prayer service at the Golden Jubilee office block site, then we will have a procession at 9:45 a.m. to the cathedral for the church service. Everybody is welcome,” he added.

The Bishop of Madi West Nile Diocese, Rt. Rev. Charles Collins Andaku, welcomed the visit, saying Archbishop Kaziimba has played an important role in promoting initiatives aimed at addressing social and spiritual challenges facing Christians.

“My dear brothers and sisters, the farewell of the Archbishop is not simply the conclusion of an administrative term. It is an opportunity to pause and give thanks to God, honour his service, remember the journey and pray for the future of the Church. We thank God for His Grace’s ministry, we thank God for the people he has served, and we thank God for the lessons we have learned from him. We pray that the Lord will continue to guide, strengthen and bless him and Mama Margaret Mugalu in the next chapter of their lives. As the Diocese of Madi West Nile, we are grateful for the opportunity to host our Archbishop and to join the wider Church of Uganda in celebrating his ministry,” Bishop Andaku said.

“His Grace has constantly emphasised the importance of strengthening families and protecting children and young people. This includes advocacy and sensitisation against gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, child marriage, family breakdown and other challenges affecting households. He has also encouraged responsible parenthood and youth and children’s ministry. His Grace has placed considerable emphasis on the promotion of children’s ministry.”

Meanwhile, Bilha Angualiru, the diocesan head of the laity, said learners will also be given an opportunity to meet the Archbishop as part of efforts to inspire young people.

“The invitation of the schoolchildren to this event is to create a mark in them. Maybe the next archbishop or bishop can come from among them,” Bilha said. “We want to give them an opportunity to encounter the Archbishop, right from receiving him tomorrow, as we shall be receiving him with all other people to the diocese.”

The Archbishop’s retirement comes during a major transition period for the Church of Uganda, with seven other bishops also expected to retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65.