The Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, Rev. Canon William Ongeng, has issued a strong warning to dioceses against ordaining theological students who have not yet completed their training.
In a letter dated August 25, 2025, addressed to all bishops within the province, Ongeng raised concerns following reports from Bishop Tucker School Of Divinity and Theology under Uganda Christian University and other theological institutions that some dioceses have either gone ahead or are planning to ordain students who are still in their first, second, or third years of study.
Ongeng cautioned that such practices are harmful both to the students and the dioceses as well as the province as a whole.
“Some students after being ordained desert their courses and do not finish. This will affect their performance in ministry and also the dioceses will have leadership challenges as a result of this practice,” he noted.
The Provincial Secretary reminded the bishops that the move contravenes the Church of Uganda’s Provincial Canons. He cited Canon 3:4.1, which requires candidates for Holy Orders to undergo at least three years of training in a accredited theological college before ordination.
Additionally, Canon 3.4.3 and Canon 3.4.7 stipulate that ordination can only take place after successful completion of studies, recommendation from the institution, and passing examinations set by an approved theological college.
“If ordination takes place before the stipulated period of study, then the bishop who ordains will have not followed the Provincial Canons, and the students who have been ordained under such arrangement will not be recognised as priests in the Church of Uganda,” Ongeng warned.
Ongeng’s remarks come as several dioceses within the Church of Uganda are preparing to ordain theologians to both the diaconate and priesthood.
The letter, which he described as a “wake-up call and reminder,” directed all bishops to desist from the practice immediately.
“Whoever has planned for such ordination should stop it with immediate effect from the date of this letter,” Ongeng said, urging bishops not to “stab our backs on things we all know are documented and would cause problems to the Church.”