According to the statement from the Church of Uganda, the House of Bishops sitting at St Stephen's Cathedral Naluwerere in East Busoga Diocese has elected Ven. Canon Moses Banja as the new Bishop of Namirembe Diocese.
“He will be consecrated and enthroned on December, 10, 2023 at St Paul's Cathedral, Namirembe,” the statement reads in part.
Ven Canon Moses Banja was born on October, 20, 1964 in Nakabugo Bbira, Busiro, was ordained in 1996 and priested in 1998.
He is married to Rev. Canon. Prof. Olivia Nassaka Banja and they are blessed with three Children.
Ven Canon Banja who is currently the Archdeacon of Luzira Archdeaconry holds a Bachelor's Degree in Divinity from Makerere University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from Makerere University.
Elections for the new Namirembe Bishop were recently deferred to allow investigations by the nominations committee into the nomination of Ven Canon Banja and Rev Abraham Muyinda, the Vicar of Namirembe Cathedral who had emerged as the best candidates from the list of 13.
The committee has consequently forwarded its findings to the House of Bishops which elected Ven Canon Moses Banja.
He will now become the sixth Bishop of Namirembe Diocese to replaced Rt Rev Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira who will be retiring on December, 8 after clocking the mandatory age of 64.
By the time of his retirement, Luwalira will have served as Bishop of Namirembe Diocese for 14 years.
Election process
Section 3.7.22 of the Provincial Canons of the Church of Uganda says candidates are eligible for nomination to the position of bishop if they are ordained priests with a minimum of ten years of practical experience in pastoral ministry, as well as being at least 45 years old.
The candidate must also hold a bachelor’s degree in Theology or Divinity and, alternatively, possesses a first degree in another field supplemented by a postgraduate diploma in Theology or Divinity.
The nomination committee also considers other factors including candidates' age, academic qualifications, pastoral ministry experience, spiritual dedication and testimony, family life, personal integrity, and societal standing.
Previously, a candidate who had successfully been elected as bishop for Luweero diocese was thrown out after information came in indicating he had a love affairs outside the wedlock.