Archbishop hands over this Sunday

By Jeff Andrew Lule

KAMPALA - Several religious and political leaders have praised the outgoing Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Luke Orombi, saying he is a gifted and exemplary leader, who has contributed to fostering unity among Ugandans of different faith.

Orombi will hand over to his successor, the Rt. Rev. Stanley Ntagali, on Sunday at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe.

He will hand over the Provincial Staff, a symbol of the archbishop’s spiritual authority to Ntagali.

All the bishops of the Church Of Uganda will pledge their canonical obedience to the new archbishop.

Over 3,000 guests are expected to attend the colourful ceremony, including President Yoweri Museveni, political leaders, business leaders and bishops of the Church of Uganda.

Eleven archbishops from other provinces in the Anglican Communion will also be present.

Orombi, 62, the seventh archbishop of the Church of Uganda, announced his decision to retire after nine years of service to concentrate on preaching the gospel and other development activities.

Consecrated on January 25, 2004, Orombi was expected to serve up to 2014 for a full 10-year term, but he opted to cut his term short.

His successor, Ntagali, has been the Bishop of Masindi-Kitara diocese for eight years. He becomes the eighth archbishop.

Several religious and political leaders expressed admiration for the exemplary leadership Orombi exhibited as the head of the Anglican Church in Uganda.

Previous Church of Uganda Archbishops

• Archbishop Leslie Brown. First Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Boga-Zaire from 1961 to 1966)

• Archbishop Erica Sabiti (1966-1974)

• Archbishop Janani Luwum (1974-1977)

• Archbishop Silvanus Wani (1977-1983).

• Archbishop Yona Okoth (1983-1995)

• Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi-Nkoyooyo (1995-2004)

• Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi (2004-2012)