Ankole Diocese Holds Farewell Service for the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda
On 14th June 2026, Ankole Diocese held a farewell service in honour of the 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, marking a moment of thanksgiving, reflection, and celebration of his spiritual leadership and service to the Province of the Church of Uganda.
The Archbishop arrived in Ankole Diocese on 13th June 2026 and was warmly received by the Diocesan team led by Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa at Four Miles as he travelled from North West Ankole Diocese. He was later escorted to the Diocesan Bishop’s residence, where he shared dinner and fellowship with members of the Diocese. The Archbishop expressed his gratitude for the warm reception accorded to him.
The farewell service was held on 14th June 2026 at St. James Cathedral, Ruharo, and was attended by Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa and his wife, Dr. Maama Alice Mwesigwa, the clergy, lay leaders, and hundreds of Christians from across Ankole Diocese.
While preaching, Archbishop Kaziimba commended Ankole Diocese for its unwavering support and appreciated Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa for his dedicated service to the Province of the Church of Uganda. He called upon Christians to embrace unity, cooperation, and generosity in the fight against poverty and greed.
The Archbishop reminded believers that they are blessed in order to become a blessing to others, emphasizing that all possessions ultimately belong to God and should therefore be used responsibly for the benefit of humanity.
“A healthy-centred Church is one that is united and committed to helping others,” he said.
He further urged Christians to prioritize people over possessions, noting that such a mindset would help address social challenges such as theft, violence, and other forms of moral decline. He also encouraged believers to belong to fellowships where they can remain accountable, share testimonies, and pray together for spiritual growth.
In his remarks, Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa thanked Archbishop Kaziimba for honoring the Diocese with his visit and encouraged Christians to value life in its fullness by embracing regular medical check-ups and maintaining good health.
Bishop Sheldon also called upon Christians to actively support and participate in the upcoming East African Revival Convention scheduled for 26th August 2026. He noted that Ankole Diocese remains committed to fulfilling its obligations to the Province of the Church of Uganda and thanked God that the Diocese has consistently met its provincial commitments.
As a token of appreciation and love, Bishop Sheldon presented ten Friesian cows to Archbishop Kaziimba as a gift from Ankole Diocese.
Speaking on behalf of the laity, Mr. Erickson Nabimanya Notti, the Head of Laity of Ankole Diocese, thanked Archbishop Kaziimba and his wife for their faithful service to the Church of Uganda throughout his tenure. He commended the Archbishop for his contribution to the construction of the Uganda Martyrs Museum at Namugongo, his firm commitment to biblical teachings.
Mr. Notti praised Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa for his visionary leadership that has transformed Ankole Diocese spiritually, socially, and economically through various initiatives, including Revival Radio and TV, Revival Schools, Revival Coffee, Revival Health Cooperative, the Revival Museum, and Millennium SACCO, among others.
He urged Christians to continue supporting and visiting their leaders even after retirement, emphasizing the importance of praying for retired clergy who have dedicated their entire lives to the service of God and the Church.
In his final remarks, Archbishop Kaziimba applauded Rt. Rev. Assoc. Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa for his visionary leadership, highlighting the establishment of Revival Radio, Revival TV, Millennium SACCO, Revival Schools, Revival Coffee, and several commercial developments in Mbarara City as evidence of the Diocese’s commitment to holistic transformation.
The Archbishop concluded by praying for God’s continued blessings upon Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa, his family, and the entire Ankole Diocese as they continue their mission of preaching the Gospel and transforming communities.
To God be the Glory.
Asasira Joanita Nancy
Diocesan Information and Communication Officer, Ankole Diocese
