Nkoyooyo Meets Mateke Over Muhabura Conflict

By John Eremu The Church of Uganda Archbishop, Livingstone Nkoyooyo, yesterday met former state minister for labour Dr. Philemon Mateke to discuss the succession crisis in Muhabura Diocese.A group of Christians led by Mateke, who is the head of the laity in the diocese, is opposed to the House of Bishops’ choice of the Rev. Can. David Sebuhinja as successor to Bishop Ernest Shalita. Shalita retires next month.The conflict reached its peak last month when Christians opposed to Sebuhinja placed needles in Shalita’s seat. They accused Shalita of influencing the House of Bishops against their favourite candidate, the Rev. Can. Wilson Baganizi. Shalita denied the accusation. Mateke, who is also the LC5 chairman-elect of Kisoro district yesterday led a five-member delegation which met Nkoyooyo.They also held a four-hour meeting with the Bishop Balagadde Ssekadde of Namirembe Diocese.The meeting at Ssekadde’s residence was closed to the press. Ssekadde and Mateke refused to comment on the outcome of the meeting. Other bishops who attended the meeting were Dr. Michael Kyomya of Busoga diocese, Jackson Matovu of Central Buganda, Michael Ssenyimba of Mukono and Misusera Bugimbi (retired). The Namirembe diocesan secretary, the Rev. John Mbukure, and the Mothers Union provincial president, Mrs. Jolly Babirikamu also attended.Mateke, whose delegation included former Bufumbira MP Eddie Kwizera, last month met the Christians and informed them about Nkoyooyo’s invitation. The meeting resolved that Nkoyooyo appoints a caretaker bishop to run the diocese as they resolve the crisis. In a statement issued last week, Nkoyooyo defended Sebuhinja’s election. He urged Muhabura Christians to accept him. Mateke reportedly vowed not to allow Sebuhinja to become Muhabura bishop “because Christians do not like him.”Sebuhinja and Baganizi were nominated by the Muhabura Electoral College to the House of Bishops.Ends