The High Court of Luwero has dismissed a case challenging the nullification of Rev. Canon Kasana’s election as the 4th Bishop of Luweero Diocese.
The controversy arose after the House of Bishops nullified his election on June 28, 2023, following credible information that the Bishop-elect’s integrity was under question and misrepresented during the nomination.
A group of Christians from various Anglican churches in Luwero filed a suit on July 23, 2023, contending that the House of Bishops lacked the mandate to adjudicate ecclesiastical offenses and that such matters should be reserved for the Diocese and provincial tribunals.
However, Justice Zeija emphasized that it is not within the purview of the courts to adjudicate disputes related to the consecration of Bishops, as these matters are inherently spiritual and fall outside the competence of secular courts.
He advised the congregation to utilize the appropriate ecclesiastical bodies within the Anglican Church to resolve such disputes.
Nullification
Bishop-elect Godfrey Kasana’s election was nullified because credible information was received that the Bishop-elect’s integrity was misrepresented during the nomination and election process, which invalidated the election.
On 30th June 2023, the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, Rev. Canon William Ongeng, released the following statement about the election of the Bishop-elect of Luwero Diocese:
The House of Bishops nullified the election of Rev. Canon Godfrey Kasana as the 4th Bishop of Luwero Diocese. This took place during their meeting on 28th June 2023 at Kabalega Resort Hotel in Hoima.
The extraordinary decision was taken because credible information was received that the Bishop-elect’s integrity was misrepresented during the nomination and election process, which invalidated the election.
The immediate impact of the decision would have on Luwero Diocese as well as on the Bishop-elect and his family.
The House of Bishops ordered fresh nominations from the Diocesan Nominations Committee within a period of one month, ending 31st July 2023.
The Rt. Rev. Eridard Nsubuga, current Bishop of Luwero, was abdicated on Sunday, 9th July 2023 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. He will hand over ecclesiastical authority to the Archbishop, per the Constitution and Canons of the Church of Uganda.
The House of Bishops received fresh nominations for the next Bishop of Luwero and elect on 1st August 2023.
The consecration and enthronement of the 4th Bishop of Luwero was held on Sunday, 6th August 2023, at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Luwero.
