The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has this evening arrived in South Ankole Diocese ahead of his farewell pastoral visit, receiving a warm and celebratory welcome from clergy and Christians in Ntungamo District.
He was received at the diocesan headquarters by the Bishop of South Ankole Diocese, Rt. Rev. Nathan Ahimbisibwe, alongside clergy and hundreds of jubilant congregants who gathered to honour his visit.
In a lively and unexpected turn, the reception also attracted hundreds of Arsenal supporters who joined the faithful in welcoming the Archbishop, adding colour and excitement to the evening gathering.
The Archbishop is scheduled to lead a major farewell service on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at St Matthew’s Cathedral, Kyamate, starting at 9:30am.
The service is expected to draw hundreds of worshippers from across the diocese as they gather to bid farewell to him during his pastoral tour of South Ankole Diocese.
His visit to South Ankole follows recent farewell engagements in the Dioceses of Muhabura in Kisoro District and Kinkizi in Kanungu District, where he has been concluding a series of pastoral visits across the Church of Uganda.
While in Muhabura Diocese at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Seseme, Archbishop Kaziimba urged Christians to reject division and embrace unity, forgiveness, and teamwork, saying these values are vital for both national development and the growth of the Church.
He encouraged believers to move from bitterness to betterment by embracing reconciliation and living as ambassadors of peace.
He further called on Christians to remain rooted in Christ, forgive those who wrong them, and demonstrate love even to those who oppose them, emphasizing that genuine love is the foundation of peaceful communities and national transformation.
The Archbishop also cautioned against divisions based on politics, tribe, age, or religious affiliation, reminding congregations that all people are created in the image of God and deserve dignity and respect.
He encouraged teamwork, shared responsibility, and hard work in the fight against poverty, while urging the Church to pursue renewal, restoration, and spiritual revival.
In Kinkizi Diocese, he similarly called on Christians to safeguard the unity of the Church by rejecting division, political rivalry, and character attacks, stressing that only a Christ-centered Church can remain strong and fulfill its mission.
The South Ankole visit marks another stop in his farewell tour across the Church of Uganda’s 39 dioceses ahead of his retirement scheduled for 15th August 2027.
