By Guest Writer
The Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth Oboth has called on leaders across Uganda to emulate the moral clarity and unwavering integrity of the outgoing Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu.
Speaking during a farewell service held at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Tororo, Speaker Oboth highlighted the Archbishop’s pivotal role in shaping public leadership beyond the pulpit, emphasizing that his tenure brought accountability back to the forefront of national service.
“For those entrusted with public responsibility, your firm moral voice has given us confidence to do what is right, even when it is difficult,” Oboth stated during his address.
“You have reminded us that leadership is not simply about holding office but holding trust on behalf of the people and ultimately before God,” he added.
Tracing Dr. Kaziimba’s trajectory from a humble Sunday school teacher and choir member to the Ninth Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Oboth noted that his journey, which the Archbishop famously described as moving “from grass to grace,” serves as a testament to the power of dedicated service.
Beyond spiritual leadership, Kaziimba was commended for expanding the Church’s reach into vital social development sectors, including education, healthcare, livelihood projects, and peacebuilding, while notably guiding the Church to clear an impressive Shs 60 billion debt for the Janani Luwum Church House.
Addressing the congregation, Archbishop Kaziimba delivered a stirring call for national unity, urging Ugandans to abandon hypocrisy and division.
Drawing a sharp analogy to football, he cautioned against internal strife, comparing political and ecclesiastical infighting to scoring an “own goal.”
“We don’t need to fight each other; the person you are hurting may help you someday, and therefore you should all know that we need each other,” Dr. Kaziimba urged, citing persistence, fairness, and resilience as the key values needed to heal the nation.
The service drew prominent religious and political leaders from across the Bukedi subregion, including the Catholic Archbishop of Tororo Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo.
The event also marked the current phase of Dr. Kaziimba’s nationwide farewell tour as he prepares to officially hand over office next year. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
