Kitgum bishop goes to court over forced retirement

By David Labeja

KITGUM - Tension is brewing in the Anglican diocese of Kitgum after its bishop, Benjamin Ojwang warned the province of the Church of Uganda that his retirement would contravene both canon and labour laws.

Ojwang, through his lawyer Charles Dalton Opwonya , wrote a “strong warning” to the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Stanley Ntagali to desist from forcefully retiring him from office before his retirement age.

The 62-year-old bishop was due to retire in 2017 when he turns 65 – the mandatory age for retirement of a bishop in the Church of Uganda.

“The summons gives the Church of Uganda 14 days to answer to claims that the bishop is being pushed out illegally,” his lawyer said.

Ojwang became the second Bishop of Kitgum after peace-award winner Bishop McLeod Baker Ochola retired in 2002.

Since the beginning of his tenure, Ojwang has stirred controversies, suing the clergy and dismissing others.

In 2007, he was locked in the vestry of town parish church in Kitgum by a section of Christians who said they did not want him to lead the church service.

Two years later, an uprising against his administration led to the formation of the Concerned Christians Association in the diocese.

“It is this group, led by some priests, that is pushing for the illegal removal of the bishop from office,” the bishop’s lawyer Opwonya said.

Those who want him out accuse the bishop of favouring the Christians of Agago and Pader as opposed to those of Kitgum and Lamwo. They also accuse him of mismanaging the diocese and conflicting with some clergy.

‘Disregarded voice of God’

Speaking to New Vision on phone, Archbishop Ntagali confirmed that Ojwang had written to him challenging his removal.

“The synod resolved that Ojwang abdicates his role as bishop on December 14 to pave way for the election of a new bishop. The Archbishop will lead the diocese until the new bishop is elected. But I was surprised to see the letter,” Ntagali said.

The Anglican Church leader said they have halted the process of retiring Ojwang until the House of Bishops meets on January 15 next year.

“He has disregarded the voice of the people, he has disregarded the voice of the House of Bishops and he has disregarded the voice of God,” Ntagali added.

Ojwang’s predecessor, Ochola, said it was the first time a bishop was refusing to retire.


Other bishops who had conflicts in their dioceses
 

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Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze, Busoga Diocese

In 1999, a group of Christians turned against him accusing him of being a UPC sympathiser and mismanagement of funds. He retired that very year. 

Bishop Ernest Shalita, Muhabura Diocese

In 2001, Christians in the diocese disagreed with Shalita on the choice of David Sebuhinja as his successor. At the peak of the conflict, a section of Christians placed needles in Shalita’s chair in church. They were discovered before he occupied the seat. Christians went on to burn Sebuhinja’s house. Shalita held the pastoral staff for five years after retirement until Archbishop Luke Orombi got it from him.

Rev. Canon Bernard Bagaba, Kinkiizi

In 2010, his election as bishop was rejected on accusations that he had fathered children out of wedlock. However, a DNA test found the children were not his, but his election was still nullified.

Bishop Yona Katoneene, West Ankole

In April this year, a group of Christains from Sheema district accused him of trying to snatch a university project from them. The university is located at Kabwohe in Sheema. They also accused the bishop pf mismanaging the funds and using church money to enrich himself. They blocked him from conducting confirmation ceremonies in the district.