NAMIREMBE — The House of Bishops of converging at Namirembe has elected Bishop Samuel Kazimba Mugula of Mityana Diocese as the ninth Archbishop of Church of Uganda.
Bishop Kazimba was unveiled on Wednesday, August 23 before midday at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe.
Kazimba replaces Archbishop Stanley Ntagali.
Speaking to journalists immediately after the development, the Archbishop-elect said where God is, the impossible becomes possible.
“Pray and support us so that at the end of it all, God’s name is lifted,” he added.
Bishop Kazimba was the firstborn of Mr. Besweri Kaddu and Ms. Jessica Nanyonjo, born on August 15, 1962, at Gulama-Najja Kyaggwe.
The new Archbishop was named after his grandfather Kazimba who served as a lay-leader of Kinoni-Kasoga Parish and Gulama-Nyenga Parish.
The young Bp. Kazimba grew up with his mother at Makindye and Katwe in Kampala District.
He went to Gakuwebwa Munno Nursery and Lusaka Primary School.
While speaking to NTV Uganda in a past interview, Bishop Kazimba said life was a real challenge that he almost failed to get fees for his primary education.
He then said that he is grateful to his uncle the Late Emmanuel Mukasa who took responsibility of paying for his secondary school education at Seeta College Mwanyanjiri.
Canon Y. Baddokwaya baptized the young Kazimba on April 22 1973 at St. Luke Church Kibuye in Kampala.
He was confirmed by Bishop Misaeri Kawuma on September 1979 at Namataba, Kyaggwe.
In the same interview he alluded to his calling starting in teaching Sunday School children in November 1979.
Those who know Bishop Kazimba say he started his ministry while in secondary school before joining Madudu Church Choir in 1980.
Later on he served in this church as a lay-leader from 1981 to 1983.
Bishop Kazimba married Margaret Naggayi Bulya and the couple is blessed with four boys: Kisakye Moses Mugalu, Muwanguzi Peter Kyeswa, Musasizi Enoch Kazimba, and Kwagala Joseph Kazimba.
Bishop and Mrs Kazimba have also mentored other less privileged children making a family of 20.
On January 1, 1984, Kazimba made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. His thirst for a father was then quenched as he began to feel the sense of belonging that had eluded him for long.
“God has raised me from a hut to a statehouse, from nowhere to somewhere, from nobody to somebody, from grass to grace, and from shame to fame for the gospel,” he says.
Leadership
Bishop Kazimba trained as a lay-leader at Baskerville Theological College Ngogwe in 1985 and was posted to Lugazi St. Peter’s Church.
1988 – 1990 he trained at Uganda Martyrs’ Seminary (Provincial Certificate), and Bishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo ordained him in December 1990.
He served as Assistant Vicar at Nakibizzi Parish from 1990 to 1994.
In 1994 – 1996, he completed his Diploma in Theology at Bishop Tucker Theological College, and was posted to Katente Parish as Parish Priest where he served from 1997 to 2000.
He moved to Mukono Cathedral as Vicar in 2000 but stayed for only one year and was appointed Acting Provost of Mukono Cathedral by Bishop Michael Ssenyimba after his Provost Canon Matovu had been made Bishop of Central Buganda Diocese.
In July 2002 to 2003, he completed his Master’s Degree in theology (ThM) at Western Theology Seminary, USA. In 2004 he was confirmed as the provost of St. Philip and Andrew‘s Cathedral.
From 2004 to 2007, Kazimba pursued his Doctorate of Ministry at Western Seminary USA, and Bishop Elia Paul Luzinda Kizito canonized him in 2007.
Kazimba became the fourth Bishop of Mityana Diocese on October 26, 2008, replacing Bishop Dr. Dunstan Kopriano Bukenya.
