Rubanda District Deputy Speaker Pierre Seeks Reconciliation with Church of Uganda

The Rubanda District Deputy Speaker Pierre Mbabazi has asked for a roundtable meeting with leaders of the Church of Uganda Province and the Diocese of Kigezi to end the protracted legal battles they have been engaged in since 2022.

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The battles started when Mbabazi, who doubles as the LC.5 Councilor for Hamurwa Subcounty in Rubanda District, dragged the Church to court over the election and consecration of the Rt. Rev. Gaddie Akanjuna as the Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Kigezi, citing lack of required academic qualifications.

Mbabazi’s application was dismissed without costs, but the High Court has asked the Church Province Tribunal to look into his matter. In the ruling delivered on January 24, 2025, the Hon. Justice Musa Ssekana, stated that the court was “ill-equipped to deal with religious beliefs and practices.”

“The Provincial Tribunal is mandated as a court of first instance for the trial of any Bishop who is alleged to have committed an ecclesiastical offense,” Justice Ssekana ruled, adding that “The Church should ensure that grievances are promptly addressed through the established channels to limit potential litigants filing religious disputes to the courts of law unnecessarily.”

However, while addressing the press today, Mbabazi said that he had written to the Church informing them of his decision to seek reconciliation, even before the High Court ruling, an idea rejected by the accused through their lawyers.

He further revealed that a group of friends, including the Rukiga Member of Parliament Rolland Ndyomugyenyi Bish, Former Kabale District LC.5 Chairman Adison Kakuru, and Rubanda District Woman MP aspirant Jacqueline Katabazi, had convinced him to withdraw the court case and opt for reconciliation.

CUE IN.. PIERRE ON DECISION ENG/RR

“I don’t see why we should go to the tribunal if the Church leaders are ready for reconciliation. I’m doing this after advice from my friends and in the spirit of patriotism and Christianity,” he said.

CUE IN… PIERRE ON RECONCILIATION

In response, lawyers from Agaba & Co. Advocates argued that Mbabazi had not provided for payment of costs for the matter, which was tied to the point of ruling. A copy of the letter in which they objected, has been obtained by this website.

In a phone interview, Counsel Geoffrey Mutayomba of Agaba & Co. Advocates said he was not at liberty to discuss the matter, but insisted that the matter was settled by the court, and if Mbabazi wanted anything from them, he should let his lawyers write to them accordingly.

Counsel Mutayomba further noted that they can only do anything regarding the case on instruction of their client (the Church).

We tried to reach the Diocese of Kigezi Secretary, Rev. Can. Milton Nkurunungi, for a comment, but he did not answer our repeated calls.