October 24, 2023
KAMPALA, Uganda, | The High Court in Kampala has rendered a ruling dismissing the case brought against the Most Rev. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, by the congregants of Luweero Diocese. The congregants had filed a petition challenging the cancellation of the consecration of Rev. Canon Godfrey Kasana as the 4th Bishop of Luwereo Diocese.
The controversy began on April 3, 2023, when the House of Bishops elected Rev. Canon Godfrey Kasana as the 4th Bishop of Luwereo Diocese and scheduled his consecration for July 16, 2023. However, before the consecration could take place, a petition was presented, challenging his election based on allegations of adultery and extra-marital affairs. In response to the petition, the House of Bishops nullified the election and canceled the consecration, leading to calls for new appointments.
In yesterday’s ruling, the Principal Judge, Justice Flavian Zeija, emphasized that religious controversies should not be the subject of a court’s inquiry. He underscored that it is not within the court’s purview to entertain disputes regarding the consecration of a bishop, as spiritual matters are beyond the scope of the legal system.
Justice Zeija further pointed out that the Church of Uganda operates under canon rules that include mechanisms for resolving internal disputes. The church has all the necessary bodies to address its disputes, making it unnecessary for courts to intervene in such matters.
The ruling reaffirms the principle of the separation of church and state, highlighting the independence of religious institutions in handling their internal affairs and disputes. It underscores the importance of allowing religious bodies to exercise autonomy and utilize their established mechanisms for conflict resolution.
