The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, has strongly rejected suggestions that he should emulate the late Archbishop Janani Luwum, saying such expectations are unrealistic and ignore his responsibility to his family and ministry.
He made the remarks on Sunday while installing Rev. Canon Michael Mukhwana as Archdeacon of the newly inaugurated St. John’s Church at Makerere University, Kampala.
Kaziimba said some people have repeatedly urged him to follow Luwum’s example of bold confrontation with authority, even if it leads to death.
“Some people tell me, ‘Why don’t you be like Janani Luwum? He did a great job. He was killed,’” he said.
“Do you think I can make an impact by being killed? Then people will say, ‘Kaziimba was also a good man, he was killed.’ Don’t I have a family? Be sensitive.”
Kaziimba said his style of leadership is different, stressing that making an impact does not always require confrontation or sacrificing one’s life.
“I am a human being. I also need to live,” he said. “I am not your saviour carrying everyone’s problems. You take them to the Cross. I do my part and leave the rest to God.”
He added that speaking alone does not necessarily lead to change.
“You can speak and speak and speak with no impact,” he said. “John the Baptist spoke and did his work well, but he lost his head and that was the end of his mission.”
Archbishop Janani Luwum is remembered as one of Africa’s most influential church leaders. He was arrested and killed on February 16, 1977 during the regime of Idi Amin, and is honoured annually for his courage and stand against oppression.
