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Court Quashes Petition Against CoU over Election of Kigezi Diocese Bishop

In a ruling dated January 24, 2025, Justice Ssekaana, the head of the Civil Division quashed the petition saying that the Provincial Constitution Article 13.6, which requires a candidate to have a degree and an additional diploma in theology which Akanjuna has. Ssekaana also ruled that the provincial tribunal is already established and the court cannot interfere in the processes of the church, or the dissolution of any disputes within the church.
25 Jan 2025 14:10
Pierre Mbabazi Ntegyereize, who lost the petition

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The High Court Civil division in Kampala has quashed an application in which Pierre Mbabazi Ntegyereize,  Rubanda District Deputy Speaker had filed a petition seeking for cancellation of election and enthronement of Rt. Rev Gaddie Akanjuna, Bishop of Diocese of Kigezi.   

Akanjuna was elected the 6th Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi in February and consecrated in May 2022. Akanjuna replaced Rt. Rev. Goerge Bagamuhunda.

Later, Mbabazi, also a resident of Bushundwe village in Kakore parish, Hamurwa sub-county, Rubanda district dragged the Church of Uganda provincial assembly and the board of registered trustees  Of the Church of Uganda citing irregularities in the process of election and enthronement. 

Mbabazi and affidavits supported by Nelson Habasa, a resident of Rubanda town council and former Rubanda County West Member of Parliament, argued that Akanjuna was intentionally elected and consecrated at a time when the diocese had no tribunal. Mbabazi also argued that Akanjuna committed an ecclesiastical offence to wit; accepting nomination and consequent consecration as Bishop very well aware that he did have the requisite academic qualifications.   

However, in a ruling dated January 24, 2025, Justice Ssekaana, the head of the Civil Division quashed the petition saying that the Provincial Constitution Article 13.6, which requires a candidate to have a degree and an additional diploma in theology which Akanjuna has. Ssekaana also ruled that the provincial tribunal is already established and the court cannot interfere in the processes of the church or the dissolution of any disputes within the church.  

Ssekaana encouraged Mbabazi and the church to settle their disputes through established avenues. He also ruled that each party bears its costs.   When contacted to react to the ruling, Bishop Akanjuna referred our reporter to the diocesan head of laity, Canon Baryantuma Munono.

Munono welcomed the ruling saying that Mbabazi had made a miscalculation to fight the church. He warned Mbabazi against interfering with God’s work and the church's operations. 

//Cue in: “pierre had made… 

Cue out: …is alive.”//   

Mbabazi says that he is still analyzing the ruling to determine the next course of action. Mbabazi had also together with Drake Twebaze Katabaazi, Professor John Kakitari, Margret Bikangaga, Michael Zaribwende, Dickson Kyabaseeta and Lauben Kuribakanya in 2022 petitioned the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the petitioners through their lawyers of Nzige, Jamero, and Company Advocates disputed the legality of Akanjuna’s election arguing that the election arguing that he does not have academic qualifications for the office. 

They also note that the Electoral College that elected him was also not properly constituted as per the guidelines of the Church of Uganda canons. However, Mbabazi who was the lead petitioner made a U-turn and withdrew.   

Even after petitioning the court, Mbabazi would several times appear on local radio stations in Kabale district criticizing the diocese of Kigezi. 

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