New SDA Archbishop promises to empower youth, fight idleness

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Pastor Samuel Kajoba, the new Archbishop and President of the Uganda Union Conference, will serve a five-year term, from 2025 to 2030.

Kajoba received the news on Tuesday ( August 26) while at his home village in Masuulita, Wakiso District, where he had gone for a church camp.

Overwhelmed by the news, he immediately retreated for prayer before breaking it to his family, who joined him in thanksgiving.

“I received a message from Nairobi informing me that I had been appointed the President of the Uganda Union. Can you imagine, born in Masuulita, raised in Masuulita, and now tasked with leading the church in Uganda?” he said during his unveiling at Makerere University in Kampala.   

He was flanked by Elder Isaac Lyada, the new Executive Treasurer, and Pastor Frank Kiggundu, the outgoing Executive Secretary.

The East-Central Africa Division of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, based in Nairobi, Kenya, announced the election and appointment, which takes immediate effect, comes as part of a wider leadership reshuffle across 11 African countries.

Archbishop Kajoba, who has been serving as Bishop of the Central Uganda Conference in Kireka, succeeds Pastor Dr. Moses Ndimukika Maka, who has led the church in Uganda since 2022.

Dr. Maka has been elevated to serve as Executive Secretary of the East-Central Africa Division of the SDA Church.

Prioritising youth and evangelism

Central to Archbishop Kajoba’s vision is harnessing the energy of young people to drive church growth.

He pledged to ensure that youth are not only active participants but also key contributors to the spiritual and economic development of the church.

“When I received the news, I said one thing: ‘I am the Lord’s servant, let the Lord use me as He has said,’” Kajoba shared.

“We begin this journey of five years not because of promises of silver or gold, but because we are confident that God will guide us.”

“The new five-year strategic plan approved by the global conference will address how we are going to deal with young people, women, schools, stewardship, and more,” he explained while calling upon every member to be engaged in meaningful work for the betterment of the church.”

Kajoba emphasised that the SDA Church’s mission revolves around evangelism and the preaching of the second coming of Jesus Christ.

However, he said, evangelism cannot stand alone and must be supported by education, development, and empowerment of members, especially the youth.

“We don’t want a person’s name to appear in the church books only as a member. We want to see them engaged, returning tithe and offerings, and actively participating in the life of the church,” he added.

Keeping politics away from the church

As Uganda heads towards the 2026 general elections, Archbishop Kajoba called for peace and warned against mixing politics with religion.

“As a pastor, you are free to belong to any political affiliation, but it is key to keep the church out of politics because the church belongs to Jesus Christ,” he cautioned.

“Imagine if you placed political posters in a church, would those who don’t support that candidate still come to pray?”

He urged Ugandans to prioritize peace, noting that without it, development and spiritual growth become impossible.

“Every Ugandan, and even non-Ugandans living in this country, must work for peace. We need peace to live healthy lives, raise our children, run businesses, and worship freely,” he said.

Building on the church’s strategic plan

The Archbishop explained that once the church leadership in Uganda completes its appointments for other key positions, including presidents, secretaries, and treasurers in the 12 SDA entities, the leadership will customise the global five-year strategic plan to suit Uganda’s context.

He stressed that evangelism will remain the heartbeat of the SDA Church, but it will be complemented by initiatives in education, stewardship, and development.

Kajoba also emphasised accountability and stewardship, saying church members must demonstrate their faith through both service and contribution.

Who is Archbishop Kajoba?

Born in Masuulita, Wakiso District, in November 1958, Archbishop Kajoba is married to Margaret Kajoba, and together they have six children—four boys and two girls.

He is an alumnus of Lakeside College and Chwa II Memorial College and holds a Bachelor of Theology from Bugema University (2000) and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from the Adventist University of Africa in Nairobi (2009).

A licensed primary teacher, Kajoba began his career at Gayaza Light SDA Primary School between 1977 and 1980 and later served as deputy head teacher at Namulesa SDA Primary School from 1984 to 1986.

Over the years, he has served in various leadership roles, including district leader in Masuulita and Najjanankumbi, Stewardship and Development Director of the Central Uganda Conference (2009-2010), Ministerial Director of the Uganda Union Mission (2011–2015), and most recently, Executive President of the Central Uganda Conference (2016–2024).