Bishop Wanok elected new Uganda Episcopal Conference chairman
Bishop Wanok has served as vice-chairman since 2022. He succeeds Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, who served three terms as chairman.
Bishop of Lira Catholic Diocese Sanctus Lino Wanok. (Credit: Juliet Anna Lukwago)
The Bishop of Lira Catholic Diocese, Sanctus Lino Wanok, has been elected the new chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC).
The Archbishop of Mbarara, Lambert Bainomugisha, has been elected vice-chairman.
Bishop Wanok has served as vice-chairman since 2022. He succeeds Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa of Kiyinda-Mityana Diocese, who served three terms as chairman.
The Uganda Episcopal Conference is the official assembly of the Catholic bishops in Uganda. It brings together the country's Catholic hierarchy and provides leadership and coordination for the Church's national activities.
The UEC works primarily through the Uganda Catholic Secretariat to promote and coordinate the social and pastoral ministry of the Catholic Church in Uganda.
Its work is carried out through 12 committees, including those responsible for liturgical and pastoral matters, the apostolate of the laity, justice and peace, the education and training of priests, ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.
The statutes of the conference were approved by the Holy See on September 8, 1974.
Who is Bishop Wanok?
He is the third-born in a family of nine children, comprising four girls and five boys.
Archbishop Bainomugisha
Lambert Bainomugisha was born on July 12, 1961. He has been the Archbishop of Mbarara since April 25, 2020, and was formally installed on June 20, 2020
He is the son of Joseph Mugenyi and Matilda Kahwa. He was ordained a priest on July 13, 1991, in Mbarara.
List of chairpersons of the Uganda Episcopal Conference
- 1969–1975: Emmanuel Kiwanuka Nsubuga
- 1975–1977: John Baptist Kakubi
- 1982–1986: Barnabas R. Halem 'Imana
- 1986–1994: Emmanuel Wamala
- 1994–2002: Paul Lokiru Kalanda
- 2002–2006: Paul K. Bakyenga
- 2006–2010: Matthias Ssekamaanya
- 2010–2018: John Baptist Odama
- 2018–2026: Joseph Anthony Zziwa
- 2026–Present: Sanctus Lino Wanok (elected in November 2026)