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OPINION

By Sadiiki Adams

In the wake of hosting prominent international summits such as the Non-Aligned Movement, G77 plus China, and the Commonwealth Speakers Conference, Uganda proudly opened its arms once again, this time to the newly consecrated and enthroned Bishops from the Global South Fellowship.

As these spiritual leaders gathered for a week-long formation retreat at Lweza Training and Conference Center in the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda on Monday, February 19^th, 2024, it marked yet another milestone in the nation's journey towards global recognition and leadership.

The Global South Fellowship is a fellowship of orthodox Anglicans currently composed of 12 Provinces from Africa, Asia and Latin America. It has recently opened doors to the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) from the Global North with whom they share biblical values. This fellowship is an ecclesiastical part of the greater Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), a movement within the Anglican Communion that emerged in response to theological and doctrinal differences, particularly regarding issues such as homosexuality and the authority of Scripture. GAFCON was founded in 2008 by conservative Anglican leaders who felt that the traditional teachings of the Anglican Church were being compromised by liberal interpretations.

The movement aims at providing a platform for orthodox Anglicans to come together, affirm their common beliefs, and address what they perceive as departures from traditional Anglican doctrine and practice within the broader Anglican Communion. GAFCON has held several conferences and gatherings since its inception, bringing together Anglican bishops, clergy, and laity from around the world who share its conservative theological perspective, with the most recent being one hosted in Kigali, Rwanda last year.

I was privileged to attend the fourth Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) that met from April 17-21, 2023, bringing together 1,302 delegates from 52 countries, including 315 Bishops, 456 other Clergy and 531 Laity at Kigali Convention Centre. This was very successful. We were all accorded a deserving warm reception, accommodation, and a memorable stay.

For the Global South Fellowship, choosing to hold the new Bishops formation retreat in Uganda is a great vote of confidence in Uganda and an affirmation that the country can host bigger conferences, both spiritual and temporal.

The Chairman of the Global South Fellowship, Primate and Archbishop of South Sudan, The Most Rev Justin Badi, while opening the retreat on Tuesday morning made a very important comment, “Uganda is a stronghold of Anglicanism in the world at the moment. In terms of numbers, they come after Nigeria, but when you compare the total size of the country and percentages, Uganda comes first. I also did my ministerial formation here at Uganda Christian University and ministered in Kigezi High School among many other places.”

The new Bishops from the Global South Fellowship have so far toured Uganda Christian University and Uganda Martyrs Anglican Site in Namugongo. They will also be taken to other Church of Uganda projects. Great facilitators such as the former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rt Rev. Dr. Henry Luke Orombi, the Bishop of Lango Diocese, Rt Rev Prof Alfred Olwa, and the former Provincial Treasurer, Lay Canon Richard Obura, will be speaking at the retreat.

As the Church of Uganda, hosting the Global South new Bishops formation retreat, moreover in our very own facility, Lweza Training and Conference Centre, gives us confidence that we can now comfortably submit our bid to host GAFCON, which sits every four years. The next host will be Sydney, Australia.

In light of Uganda's successful track record in hosting major international conferences, this retreat serves as yet another testament to the nation's readiness and willingness to embrace its role on the global stage. Let us seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment to the principles of faith, unity, and service that define us as a nation and as members of the Global Anglican Fellowship.

The writer is the Communications Officer, Church of Uganda.