Archbishop Ntagali hands over to Lwanga as new UJCC chairperson

The Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC).

Kizito Lwanga takes over from his counterpart from the Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali. This handover was held at the UJCC offices in Gogonya a Kampala Suburb in Makindye division on Friday.  

UJCC is comprised of the Catholic Church, Church of Uganda, and Orthodox Church.

At the same event, the organisation's executive secretary Rev. Fr. Silvester Arinaitwe also handed over to Rev. Fr. Constantine Mbonabingi from the Orthodox Church.

According to UJCC's constitution, the chairpersons serve for four years on a rotation basis, while the executive secretaries serve for five years.  The Archbishops also act as the board of trustees to the organisation.

The new team is expected to kick start their work on January 1. UJCC was established in 1963 following the political crises at the time, to promote peace, unity and good governance in the country.

Ntagali thanked the outgoing executive secretary and his deputies for their hard work and achievements during their tenure despite the various challenges.

"The activities you planned were all implemented as they were planned without fail. A good example is the just concluded Strategic Plan 2012-2017," he said.

He cited the introduction of UJCC Bishops annual retreat and pilgrimage to Uganda Martyrs Shrines of the Church of Uganda and Roman Catholic Church during which the Archbishops can preach at either shrine, which is a great success as far as ecumenism, is concerned and the attainment of permanent offices and celebration of UJCC'S Golden Jubilee (50years) among others achievements.

Ntagali thanked the board of trustees who supported him as chairperson for the all the past years and promised to continue supporting the new management as a member of the board of trustees.

The new incoming executive secretary, Mbonabingi said the transition by UJCC is an indication that they walk what they preach.

He stressed that it is would be shame for a leader to die and leave the church, the council and society in leadership due to lack of prepared successor.

Mbonabingi said a planned transition calls for preparing the next leader to avoid disrupting the existing systems when a leader dies.

He promised to implement UJCC's the strategic plan 2018/2023 for the good of the country.

The co-chairperson, Archbishop of the Orthodox Church Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga said transition is a good thing that leaders should not fear.

"A transition is wonderful, but some people do fear to do it; I think we need to be extemporary ourselves in doing this in order for other politicians to learn from as," he added.

Lwanga asked Members of Parliament to stop being greedy and selfish, but look beyond to clean up the country and create a new chapter in history.

Others who handed over are deputy secretaries Godfrey Amanyire (finance) and Gider Gider Gladys Nalubega for programmes.