Tracing Busoga bishop-elect Lubaale's roots

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All is set for the consecration of the Bishop-elect of Busoga Diocese, the Rev. Can. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Grace Lubaale, on December 14, 2025, at Christ's Cathedral in Jinja city's suburb of Bugembe.

The colourful event is expected to be presided over Church of Uganda archbishop, Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu. 

New Vision Online brings you the Bishop's rise from a poor reverend's family to Busoga highest hierarchy of the Anglican Church.

Way back when he was eight years old, then Grace Lubaale, according to accounts of his mother, was already obsessed with clergy work by conducting “mock” church services with age-mates, where he acted as priest, imitating his father, who was a reverend.

The most interesting interlude was lining the age-mates to the Lord’s table (Eucharist) to partake Jesus’ Body (bread of life) and Jesus’ blood (wine), and like priests do, the young Lubaale served the flock with pieces of “cooked” cassava from the mother’s source-pan, which acted as  bread, then the rain water he sourced from his mother’s pot to act as church wine (the Blood of Jesus!)

“This is my body! Eat it to remember me,” He would say, before serving the lined-up faithful, which they received with folded paws, bowing their heads and using their right hands to signalise, “In the name of the father, the Son and the Holy spirit.”

He would then conclude the interlude by serving Jesus’ blood in (wine) in tiny holly “cups,” whose contents were drawn from the sizable bottle beneath the table.

At the close of the service, he would bid the flock farewell saying, “The service is done, go in peace. God bless you,” and the flock would respond, “Amen…” in a chorus, before scattering to play other games.

The above revelations are part of the observations which Margaret Lubaale, 72,  the Bishop elect’s mother, made during an interview with New Vision Online, soon after her son was declared the new Busoga Diocese Bishop.

“He used to accompany us to Church and watch the way his father conducted services and got inspired. Back home, he would imitate what his father did,” Margaret, a retired Headmistress, said.

Calling it a rare opportunity wrapped in God’s grace, Margaret, who resides in the Industrial zone in Kamuli municipality, said it was the Grace of God that her son was elected not by bribery, but on merit.

Maama Margaret said it was the grace of God that her son was elected not by bribery, but on merit.

“I nurtured him in religious and cultural discipline. I also instilled hard work and commitment in him, unaware that he would be a future Bishop. God is great!” she said, raising her arms in the air.

Besides conducting the mock church services, Maama Margaret says, her son was active at home as he participated in all sorts of domestic chores, including digging, caring for the animals in the barn, washing utensils/clothes, peeling cassava and potato tubers, etc..

The House of Bishops, led by Kaziimba Mugalu, on October 7, 2025, elected the 47-year-old to replace retiring Bishop Paul Naimanhye. He will be consecrated and enthroned as the fourth bishop of Busoga Diocese on December 14, 2025.

The decree ended the 7-months anxiety wait for the new Bishop, after the House of Bishops rejected the two finalists in July 2025, following complaints from the Anglican congregation, citing marital, church affairs and track record issues.

Kamuli: the mother of busoga bishops

Lubaale becomes the fourth Busoga Bishop, prolonging the monopoly of Kamuli district producing Bishops since Busoga Diocese was carved from Namrembe Archdeaconry in 1972.

Bishop Cyprian Kikunyi Bamwoze (now deceased) shepherded between 1972 and 1999 and was succeeded by Michael Kyomya (200-2016) and Naimanhye, who shepherded from 2017 to 2025.

Maama Margret describes her son as a humble, God-loving, agile and intelligent.

“The race was hectic and it was by God’s grace that he went through. Many had eyed the seat; however, the House of Bishops zeroed on my son. God is great,” Margaret said.

The Rev. Can. Rebecca Mudondo, the Priest of St Mark Church of Uganda in Kamuli town, who mentored Lubaale, said, "He befits the title. He was humble, obedient, agile and loved pastoral work. It is no wonder he was named Bishop.”

Speaking after the elevation, Lubaale said, I thank God for the gift of life and salvation. I immensely appreciate the Archbishop, the Most Reverend Dr Stephen Kazimba and the House for the appointment.

"This education and training in the Church of God is a result of acknowledging my pastoral ministry and contributions to the education sector as a clergyman.”

Vowing to serve above self, Lubaale pledged to promote the Anglican Church through scripture orientations to the clergy community, accelerate membership through crusades, hard work and integrity.

He appreciated the Bishops: Hannington Mutebi, who nurtured him in the Ministry at its infancy and remained constantly in touch and the Canons: John Awodi, Festus Udongo, Geoffrey Byarugaba and Emmanuel Kalagala.

He has at all times endeavoured to preach the gospel in all seasons and situations, brought many to Christ, healed many and saved many lives from perishing.

His guiding scripture is Galatians 6:9, and becoming a Canon and a Bishop today is a true testament of God’s grace to his faithful servants.

Academician, development expert, dedicated shepherd

The bishop-elect is the son of the late Rev Nathan Lubaale (RIP) and Margaret Lubaale, residents of Butansi village in Kamuli district.

He’s an academician, a development expert, mentor, leader, researcher, consultant and advocate.

Having gravitated towards ministry since childhood, Lubaale became a Deacon in 2008, a Priest in 2009, served as an Assistant Vicar at St Stephen’s Kisugu (2009-2011) and as an Associate Chaplain at St Luke Mulago Hospital (2011-2019) and Priest of Resurrection Bugolobi Church.

He’s an experienced and qualified university senior lecturer of education, gender, human rights, ethics, planning, and policy.

He’s also a human rights advocate, research consultant & supervisor, development consultant, an international evangelist, church minister, theologian, educationalist, counselor, mentor and a community development animator.

According to him, 22 years of highly successful and impeccable work in educational instruction at Kyambogo University has made him a remarkable resource in the Uganda Think Tank, Trainer of trainers, Public Speaker, researcher and Publisher.

His guiding scripture is Galatians 6:9 and having become a Canon and now a Bishop, is a true testament of God’s grace to his faithful servants.

Asked how he will juggle between diocese work, universities lectures, consultations, research work etc, Lubaale said, "serving the Lord is my passion.  I am old hands at serving the Lord, I will serve because God has said so.”

He is married to Louis Claire Lubaale and the couple is blessed with four children.

Qualifications

He has a PhD in development studies with a bias in higher educational programmes, cases of development studies programmes of Uganda Martyrs and Makerere Universities and a PhD Thesis from Uganda Martyrs University (2010).

Master's of Arts in Theology

Master's of Arts in development studies 

Bachelor's of Arts with Education

He’s a higher education examiner and has, over the years, authored over 30 books and journals on Church, agriculture, social, marital and development issues.