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Emeritus Naimanhye urges Busoga clergy to support bishop-elect Lubaale

Naimanhye, who turned up with bishop elect Grace Lubaale, whom he unveiled to the clergy and their spouses, asked them to give the same treatment which he had enjoyed during his 10-year journey.

Outgoing Busoga Anglican Diocese Bishop Paul Samson Naimanhye (right) with Bishop elect Grace Lubaale (centre) and his wife, Claire, during his farewell prayers. (Photos by Jackie Nambogga)
By: Jackie Nambogga and Jackie Nambogga, Journalists @New Vision

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Outgoing Busoga Anglican Diocese Bishop Paul Samson Naimanhye has implored the house of clergy to accord support to his newly elected successor.


Naimanhye made the call on October 14, 2025, during his farewell prayers at Jinja city-based Christ’s Cathedral Bugembe, which hosts the diocesan headquarters.

Naimanhye, who turned up with bishop elect Grace Lubaale, whom he unveiled to the clergy and their spouses, asked them to give the same treatment which he had enjoyed during his 10-year journey.

Shouting 'Alleluia', the bishop assured Lubaale that he had worked well and closely with the clergy to attain some of the developments in the diocese.

“I also request you to accord the support by working closely with the bishop-elect,” he said.


Bishop elect Grace Lubaale and his wife, Claire at Christ's Cathedral Bugembe, this was during Naimanhye's farewell prayers.

Bishop elect Grace Lubaale and his wife, Claire at Christ's Cathedral Bugembe, this was during Naimanhye's farewell prayers.



After the prayers, Naimanhye returned to his office and changed his attire before they converged in the cathedral for brief speeches.

Pledge to be loyal

He would then get back to the microphone to ask them if they would support the new bishop, and in unison, they in chorus announced to be loyal to Lubaale.

Naimanhye, who was flanked by cathedral dean Joy Mukisa Isabirye, said this is what he wished to see and observe.

Humbled by the gesture

In his maiden appearance at the cathedral since his election, which seemed to have suffered resistance from a cross section of Anglicans at the cathedral over the choice by the House of Bishops at the Church of Uganda, Lubaale said he was humbled to be in the diocese.

The Busoga diocesan synod, responsible for nominating and submitting names of potential contenders for the slot of bishop to the House of Bishops at the Church of Uganda, first sent names of three candidates.

They included the diocesan education co-ordinator, Rev. Can. Joseph Kintu, vicar general, the Rev. Can. Mathias Katiko and Lubaale.


Can. Moses Kisule (L), the chairperson of archdeacons, flanked by Irongo and other clergies with their spouses as they bid farewell to Naimanhye at the Cathedral on Tuesday.

Can. Moses Kisule (L), the chairperson of archdeacons, flanked by Irongo and other clergies with their spouses as they bid farewell to Naimanhye at the Cathedral on Tuesday.



The COU rejected them and called for fresh nominations, but still, the synod maintained Lubaale and Katiko, hence settling for the professor.

Resistance

However, some Christians who had wished for Katiko resisted and hurled insults through social media, including that of the cathedral family, which was tentatively closed and later opened.

Katiko got to the forum, calling for calm among believers, as he asked them to put all their trust in God, as this was His will.

“A lot has been said and done, events may not have happened in our favour or as we wished, but that was God’s will. I know many of us were heartbroken, and that is very understandable, especially when someone’s hopes were somewhere else,” reads his Saturday post.

Quoting Isiah 41:10, Katiko said: As believers, we need to take heart, let us be calm and put our whole trust in God for the good of our church and Busoga. God is our strength.

Accordingly, the diocesan assistant vicar, also in charge of information, communication and technology, the Rev. David Munobwa, hailed Katiko for his mature statement.

“Well said, God’s will supersedes (is above) any human wishes, praying that the Lord of all comfort will strengthen you, Mama and all who are heartbroken,” Monobwa responded.

As the Cathedral marked the Bible Sunday on October 12, 2025, Katiko, during the first service, got to the podium and maintained his initial statement of preaching calm on top of congratulating Lubaale.

He proceeded by announcing his installation date of December 14, 2025, at the cathedral, forcing some Christians to walk out in protest, but the service proceeded.

Even during Naimanhye’s farewell prayers, Katiko, upon realising that Lubaale had not carried a hymn book, he sent for a new one.

He also went ahead to present him a gift whose mini video had since gone viral on social media, with the majority commending his maturity of handling things spiritually.

“If I had a heart like our vicar, I would automatically go to heaven,” one of the Christians remarked on social media.

Hailing from Butansi in Kamuli district, Lubaale, who was accompanied by his wife Claire, asked the clergy to accept him to steer the diocese until his right time for retirement.

Meanwhile, the Ven. Rev. Can. Charles Irongo, the chairperson of the House of Clergy, congratulated Lubaale, saying they were ready to support him and build on the achievements of their outgoing bishop.

Irongo said they expect their bishop elect to take on the multiple challenges faced by the diocese by driving the vision and mission of the diocese further.

“As the house of clergy, we pledge total support for our bishop elect to drive on the achievements of Naimanhye to address the current challenges and drive the vision and mission of the diocese further,” he said. 

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Bishop Paul Samson Naimanhye
Grace Lubaale
Busoga