Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu (called Stephen Kaziimba;[1][2] also spelled Kazima; born 15 August 1962) is a Ugandan Anglican bishop. On 28 August 2019, he was elected to serve as the ninth Archbishop of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala, effective 1 March 2020. In his capacity as Archbishop of Uganda, he is the head of the Church of Uganda. Prior to his new position, he served as the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Mityana, from 2009 until 2020.[3]


Stephen Kaziimba
Archbishop of Uganda
Bishop of Kampala
ChurchChurch of Uganda
DioceseDiocese of Kampala
Elected28 August 2019
Installed1 March 2020
PredecessorStanley Ntagali
Other post(s)Bishop of Mityana (2009–2020)
Orders
OrdinationDecember 1990
by Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo
Consecration26 October 2008
Personal details
Born (1962-08-15) 15 August 1962 (age 62)
SpouseMargaret Naggayi Bulya
Alma materBishop Tucker Theological College, Western Theological Seminary

Early life and education

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Mugalu was born on 15 August 1962, to Jessica Nanyonjo and Besweri Kaddu, at Gulama-Najja Village, Kyaggwe County, in present-day Buikwe District.[4]

He attended Gakuweebwa Munno Nursery School and then Lusaka Primary School, in Katwe, a neighborhood in Kampala, Uganda's capital city. He was baptised by Canon Y. Baddokwaya, on 22 April 1973, at St. Luke's Church Kibuye. He was confirmed by Bishop Misaeri Kawuma, on 22 September 1979, at Namataba, Kyaggwe County, in present-day Mukono District.[4]

He received a Master of Theology degree in 2003 and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2007,[5] both from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan.

Ordained ministry

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Kaziimba was ordained in December 1990 by Bishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo. He served as Assistant Vicar at Nakibizzi Parish, Buikwe District, from 1990 to 1994. He then served as parish priest at Katente Parish from 1997 to 2000. From 2000, he was the Vicar of Mukono Cathedral. While there, Bishop Michael Ssenyimba made him Acting Provost of Mukono Cathedral. He was confirmed as the Provost of St. Philip and Andrew‘s Cathedral Mukono, in 2004.[4]

Episcopal ministry

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Kaziimba was consecrated as a bishop and was installed as 4th Bishop of Mityana Diocese, on 26 October 2008 replacing Bishop Dr. Dunstan Kopriano Bukenya.[4]

He was elected to be the next Archbishop of Uganda by a secret ballot, with more than a two thirds majority of the bishops of the Church of Uganda on 28 August 2019. He was installed as Archbishop on 1 March 2020 at St. Paul's Cathedral at Namirembe.[4]

He replaced Bishop Stanley Ntagali, who retired, having attained the retirement age of 65 years.[6]

In 2023, Kaziimba expressed support for the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act, which introduces the death penalty for certain convictions of homosexuals. Kaziimba disputed criticism of his stance by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, noting that laws criminalising homosexual acts had first been introduced to Uganda by the British in colonial times. He has, however, stated that he does not support the use of capital punishment.[7][8] In July, 2023, Kaziimba met with and offered support for the positions of the Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, and both reiterated their support for criminalising homosexuality.[9][10]

Other responsibilities

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On 20 March 2020, Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba was installed as the 4th Chancellor of Uganda Christian University, a private Christian university affiliated with the Church of Uganda.[11]

Personal life

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He is married to Margaret Naggayi Bulya and together are the parents of four sons.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Bishop – MD". Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Bishop of Mityana, Stephen Kaziimba, elected to serve as next Archbishop of Uganda".
  3. ^ Nixon Segawa (28 August 2019). "Bishop Kazimba Mugalu To Replace Ntagali As Archbishop of Church of Uganda". Kampala: SoftPower Uganda. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Dr. Kazimba Elected Church of Uganda Archbishop". Daily Monitor. Kampala. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  5. ^ "The Commons" (PDF). Western Theological Seminary. June 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  6. ^ Joseph Kizza (28 August 2019). "Archbishop-Elect Kaziimba: A Look At Ntagali's Successor". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  7. ^ Davies, Madeleine. "Archbishop of Uganda takes Welby to task over criticism of anti-homosexuality law". Church Times. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  8. ^ katholisch.de: Massive Kritik an Anti-Queer-Gesetz in Uganda – Lob von Erzbischof, 30 May 2023
  9. ^ "IRCU courts Iran to activate pending agreement". The Independent Uganda. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  10. ^ "IRCU Courts Iran to activate pending agreement – The Kampala Report". 14 July 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  11. ^ Jessica Sabano (21 March 2020). "Archbishop Kaziimba installed as new UCU Chancellor". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
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Anglican Communion titles
Preceded by Bishop of Mityana
2008–2020
Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Uganda
Bishop of Kampala
Chancellor of Uganda Christian University

2020–present
Incumbent