The Church of Uganda has dismissed as false and misleading a video circulating on social media alleging that Archbishop The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu was attacked during a church service in the United States.
In a statement dated Monday, May 4, 2026, the Church clarified that the claims of an attack during service at St Peter’s Anglican Church in Boston are inaccurate and have no factual basis.
Archbishop Kaziimba is currently in the United States on official duties.
According to the church, what occurred was a brief disruption caused by a small group of unidentified individuals during the service.
It added that the situation was quickly contained and order restored, allowing the service to continue without further interruption.
“Archbishop Kaziimba was not harmed in any way. He remains safe and continues to execute his ministry as scheduled during his international visit. We urge the public to disregard the misleading claims, particularly those designed to create unnecessary anxiety and confusion,” the statement read.
The clarification comes weeks after Archbishop Kaziimba defended his leadership approach against critics who accuse him of being too reserved on sensitive national issues.
Speaking during the inauguration of Makerere Archdeaconry and the installation of its first Archdeacon, Ven. Rev. Canon Micheal Mukhwana, at St John’s Church of Uganda, Makerere, he said his method of leadership is intentional and rooted in faith.
“I am a person. I need life also. I have a life to live. I am not here to be your saviour. I am not here to carry all your problems. You take them to the cross. I do my part and leave the rest to God,” he said.
He argued that public confrontation is not always the most effective way to influence change, saying quieter engagement can sometimes produce better outcomes.
“You can speak and speak and speak, no impact. John the Baptist did a good job, but he ended up losing his head. And the mission ended there,” he said.
The Archbishop also referenced what he described as the “Nathan approach,” a biblical model of engaging authority with restraint rather than direct confrontation.
His remarks came amid comparisons with former Archbishop Janani Luwum, who openly criticized the regime of Idi Amin and was later killed. Luwum is widely regarded as a martyr, with some Ugandans citing him as an example of bold religious leadership.
However, Kaziimba questioned whether martyrdom should be viewed as a standard for effective leadership.
“The man was killed. So do you think I can make an impact by being killed? Don’t I have a family? Why don’t you really be sensitive?” he said.
