KABALE – The Chancellor of the Diocese of Kigezi, Mr. Bruce Kyereere Kwarisiima, has reportedly been replaced following a petition against his alleged prolonged tenure in office.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This website has yet to receive official confirmation of his replacement; however, reliable sources indicate that Mr. Kyereere has been succeeded by Lawyer Cephas Birungi, a renowned businessman and owner of Cephas Inn, located in Kabale Municipality.
In the same administrative reshuffle, Head of Laity, Canon Baryantuma Munono, has been replaced by Canon Eng. Ivan Mbabazi Batuma, also a prominent businessman and proprietor of Voice of Kigezi FM Radio Station based in Kabale town. Munono who has served as the Diocese of Kigezi Head of Laity since 2018, did not seek re-election, according to reports.
On March 16, 2026, Deputy Speaker of the Rubanda District Council, Mr. Mbabazi Pierre Nyetegyereize, wrote a letter addressed to the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda. The letter stated that Diocesan Chancellor Bruce Kyereere had been in office for over three Assemblies and had presided over the consecration of two bishops. The petition further noted that the current Bishop, Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna, was “soon retiring,” implying that a substantial Chancellor was needed to preside over consecration of the next bishop.
This website has obtained a copy of the letter, signed by Mbabazi, stamped, and received by the Church of Uganda Provincial Secretariat on March 23, 2026. The letter is also copied to the Provincial Chancellor, the Deputy Chancellor of the Diocese of Kigezi, and the Diocesan Bishop.
According to the Church of Uganda’s structure, the Diocesan Chancellor is appointed by the Diocesan Bishop. The term of office is typically linked to the duration of the Diocesan Synod.
It remains unclear whether the replacement of Bruce Kyereere was influenced by the letter filed by Pierre Mbabazi Nyetegyereize, a member of the Church of Uganda known for his controversial legal battles with the Diocese of Kigezi. These disputes have been ongoing, particularly since 2022, when Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna was consecrated as the sixth Bishop of the Rugarama Hill – based Diocese.
Bruce Kyereere is a senior legal practitioner and a former president of the Uganda Law Society (2009–2011). As Chancellor, he has been serving as the chief legal advisor to the Diocese of Kigezi.
Kyereere played a role in the selection process for Bishop George Katwesigye’s successor around 2013–2014, during which some Christians protested the election of Rt. Reverend George Bagamuhunda.
He also headed the diocesan Electoral Body that submitted two names to the House of Bishops, from which Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna was elected as the D.O.K’s sixth Bishop in 2022, replacing Bagamuhunda. However, a faction of Christians, led by Mbabazi Pierre, challenged Akanjuna’s election on canonical grounds, primarily citing alleged lack of the required academic qualifications and contesting the electoral process.
These petitions, including Mbabazi Pierre’s challenge to the electoral college’s constitution, were largely unsuccessful. Mbabazi’s petition was ultimately dismissed by the High Court in January 2025.
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