Anglican church explains how Archbishop Ntagali will be replaced

KAMPALA – The Church of Uganda, will on August 28 elect the successor to Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, who retires in March next year.

Rev. Can. Capt. William Ongeng said on Monday, that 38 active bishops of the Anglican church will form the electoral college for the election under the House of Bishops.

“Archbishop Stanley was elected and enthroned as Archbishop on 18th December 2012 at the age of 57. He turns 65 years old on 1st March 2020 and that is the mandatory age of retirement,” the Provincial Chancellor said.

“[The] Archbishop-elect will not officially become the Archbishop until he is enthroned (installed) as the Archbishop, which will take place on Sunday, 1st March 2020 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe,” he explained.

Archbishop Ntagali is currently conducting farewell tours in all the Church of Uganda dioceses.

Below find answers to key questions about the Election of 9th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.

1.         When is the election of the 9th Archbishop?

Wednesday, 28th August 2019

2.          When is the press conference announcing the election?

The press conference will be on Wednesday, 28th August at 12 noon in the Provincial Office of the Church of Uganda, Namirembe.

3.         Who elects an Archbishop?

1. The House of Bishops is the body that elects the Archbishop. The House of Bishops is comprised of all active Diocesan and Assistant Bishops. There are 38 Bishops in the House of Bishops.
2. The Provincial Chancellor presides over the election.

4.         What are the constitutional requirements regarding Archbishops of the Church of Uganda?

1. An Archbishop can serve only for ten years and no more.
2. They can only serve until their 65th birthday. At the age of 65 an Archbishop must retire, even if he has served less than his ten-year term
3. To be elected an Archbishop, you must be a Bishop in the Church of Uganda and at least 50 years old.
4. All Dioceses must have Bishops. There can be no vacant dioceses.

5.         How many Diocesan Bishop are currently serving in the Church of Uganda? 37

6.         How many of the Bishops are eligible to become Archbishop? 33

7.          Why is Archbishop Stanley Ntagali retiring after only seven and a half years of service?

Archbishop Stanley was elected and enthroned as Archbishop on 18th December 2012 at the age of 57. He turns 65 years old on 1st March 2020 and that is the mandatory age of retirement.

8.         After the election, when does the elected person become the Archbishop?

1. After the election, the person elected is referred to as the “Archbishop-elect.”
2. He will not officially become the Archbishop until he is enthroned (installed) as the Archbishop, which will take place on Sunday, 1st March 2020 at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe.

9.         What happens between the election and the installation of the new Archbishop?

1. The current Archbishop is currently engaged in a farewell tour, visiting all 37 dioceses in the Church of Uganda to say good-bye.
2. The Archbishop-elect will say farewell to his current diocese.
3. The current diocese of the Archbishop-elect will prepare to elect a new Bishop.
4. An Archbishop automatically serves as the Diocesan Bishop of Kampala Diocese as well as Archbishop of the entire Church of Uganda. So, Kampala Diocese will say farewell to their Bishop and prepare to receive a new Bishop, who is also the Archbishop.

10.       Who have been the previous Archbishops?

1. 1st Archbishop Leslie Brown, a British missionary, was the first Archbishop of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire (1961-1966)
2. 2nd Archbishop Erica Sabiti (1966 – 1974)
3. 3rd Archbishop Janani Luwum (1974 – 1977). Martyred in 1977.
4. 4th Archbishop Silvanus Wani (1977 – 1983). In 1980, Rwanda, Burundi, and Boga-Zaire became a separate, Francophone Province, and Uganda became its own Province.
5. 5th Archbishop Yona Okoth (1983 – 1995)
6. 6th Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi-Nkoyoyo (1995 – 2004)
7. 7th Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi (2004 – 2012)
8. 8th Archbishop Stanley Ntagali (2012-2020)

11.      What should the church’s Christians do to prepare for a new Archbishop?

The Christians should be praying fervently for a smooth transition and for God’s will to be done in the election.