KAMPALA – Former Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stanley Ntagali, on Thursday publicly begged for forgiveness from the institution, Christians and all Ugandans – admitting that he actually committed adultery because the ‘devil’ overpowered him.
Ntagali made the remarks at Namirembe Cathedral, where Christians converged to commemorate 60 years of self-governance.
He explained that he was tempted by the devil to commit the sin just like any other human being and sought for forgiveness from the church and all believers for the error.
“On Christmas Eve 1974, as a young man I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and I still love the Lord because he has loved me and I have loved to serve him over the years. Sadly, I fell into sin of adultery and I confessed to the Lord to forgive me and I want the church to forgive me,” noted Ntagali.
The suspended prelate also begged Rev Christopher Tukamuhabwa and his wife to forgive him, as the only means of remaining closer to Jesus.
“My brother bishops, all our partners, brothers and sister in the vineyard of the lord, the entire church of Uganda and all our partners all over the world and the family Rev Christopher his wife Judith, the two families, please forgive me,” requested Ntagali, who served as the 8th Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, before retiring on March 1, 2020, aged, 65; and handing over to Dr. Stephen Kazimba Mugalu.
He had previously served as the Bishop of Kampala as well as Bishop of Masindi-Kitara Diocese from 2004 to 2012.
Ntagali who committed adultery with Judith Tukamuhabwa – the wife of a priest, Rev Christopher Tukamuhabwa, was suspended from priestly duties by the current Dr. Kazimba Mugalu for his adulterous acts.
Ntagali was born in Kabale, Uganda to Ernest and Molly Ntagali, and at the age of 16, his family migrated to the Hoima District.
Ntagali studied theology and trained for ordained ministry at Bishop Tucker Theological College, an Anglican seminary, graduating with a certificate in theology in 1981. He continued his studies after ordination, completing a Bachelor of Divinity degree from St. Paul’s University, Limuru in Kenya and a Master of Arts degree in theology and development from the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies –associated with Middlesex University in 2000.
In 1981, Ntagali was ordained in the Church of Uganda. He was a missionary in Karamoja until 1986. He then served as a parish priest in the Diocese of Bunyoro-Kitara until 2002. He was Archdeacon of Masindi from 1994 to 1999, Diocesan Secretary of Bunyoro-Kitara from 2000 to 2002, and Provincial Secretary for the Church of Uganda from 2003 to 2004.
