The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, and six diocesan bishops are set to retire in 2027, triggering one of the biggest leadership transitions in the history of the province.
The retirement of Kaziimba and the six bishops will affect dioceses stretching from Mbale and Busoga in eastern Uganda to Ankole and Kigezi in the west.
The Church of Uganda announced in August that seven bishops, including the Archbishop, would retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. The Church described the development as the largest number of bishops scheduled to retire in a single year in its history.
According to the retirement schedule available to Daily Star, Kaziimba is due to retire on August 15, 2027, while the other bishops have different retirement dates running from January to September 2027, with Bishop Amos Magezi listed for early retirement in January 2028.
Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu
Kaziimba, 64, became the ninth Archbishop of the Church of Uganda in March 2020, succeeding the Most Rev. Stanley Ntagali. He had previously served as Bishop of Mityana.
He was consecrated Bishop of Mityana on October 26, 2008, before being elected Archbishop in August 2019 and enthroned at St Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, on March 1, 2020.
During his tenure as Archbishop, Kaziimba has been associated with efforts to strengthen the Church’s evangelism and social programmes. In 2026, he began pastoral and farewell visits to dioceses ahead of his retirement, urging Christians to maintain unity and peace.
His tenure has also included the Church’s involvement in initiatives such as Revival Radio and the “One Child” programme, which he has described as part of integrating evangelism with social responsibility and community transformation.
John Wilson Nandaah
The Bishop of Mbale, John Wilson Nandaah, is scheduled to retire on January 30, 2027.
Nandaah was consecrated and installed as the eighth Bishop of Mbale Diocese on December 5, 2021, succeeding Bishop Patrick Gidudu.
Before becoming bishop, Nandaah served as Mbale diocesan secretary from 2013 and was vicar of St Peter’s Church in Northern City Division. He was originally trained as a teacher and holds a Bachelor of Divinity from Uganda Christian University and a postgraduate diploma in education.
He has also been involved in Revival fellowships and Renewal ministries and previously worked as a parish priest, lecturer and diocesan education coordinator.
Upon becoming bishop, Nandaah pledged to strengthen mission and evangelism, education, health services, partnerships and human resource development in the diocese.
Patrick Wakula
Bishop Patrick Wakula of Central Busoga is scheduled to retire on May 17, 2027.
Wakula was consecrated and enthroned on November 13, 2016, becoming the first bishop of the newly created Central Busoga Diocese, which was carved out of Busoga Diocese.
Before his election as bishop, Wakula served as Archdeacon of Jinja and vicar of St James Parish. He had earlier served as Archdeacon of Kaliro and vicar of Mbulamuti Parish in Kamuli.
His tenure has been particularly associated with the growth of the new diocese. According to the Church of Uganda, churches have been planted, clergy trained and ordained, lay readers commissioned and several churches constructed and consecrated.
Wakula has also overseen plans for a new cathedral estimated at Shs3 billion, intended to replace the existing cathedral, which was consecrated in 1912 and has become too small for the growing congregation.
Dan Zoreka
The Bishop of Kinkiizi, Dan Zoreka, is listed for retirement on **June 1, 2027in the schedule available to Daily Star.
Zoreka was consecrated as the second Bishop of Kinkiizi in 2010, succeeding the diocese’s founding bishop, John Wilson Ntegyereize. He took office on October 10, 2010.
Before becoming bishop, Zoreka served as the diocesan health coordinator from 2004 to 2010 and had previously worked through different levels of church ministry, including as a church teacher, lay reader, deacon and parish priest.
At his consecration, Zoreka said his priorities would include education, health, safe water and the fight against HIV/AIDS. His leadership has also been associated with development and administrative restructuring within Kinkiizi Diocese.
The diocese has already started a transition programme ahead of his retirement and the eventual election of its third bishop.
Gaddie Akanjuna
Bishop Gaddie Akanjuna of Kigezi is scheduled to retire on August 10, 2027. Akanjuna was consecrated as the sixth Bishop of Kigezi Diocese on May 29, 2022, succeeding Bishop George Bagamuhunda, who opted for early retirement.
His episcopal ministry has placed particular emphasis on missionary work and evangelism. At his consecration, Akanjuna said he would focus on strengthening missionary and evangelistic work while working with people across the community regardless of their status.
He has also served in a diocese whose spiritual identity is strongly linked to the East African Revival, which began in Kigezi in the 1930s and has shaped the region’s evangelical tradition.
Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa
The Bishop of Ankole, Rt. Rev. Associate Prof. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, is scheduled to retire on September 29, 2027.
Mwesigwa was consecrated and enthroned as the fifth Bishop of Ankole Diocese on July 18, 2010, succeeding Bishop George Tibeesigwa.
For the past 16 years, Mwesigwa has combined his episcopal ministry with academic leadership as Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara.
Under his leadership, the university has continued to grow, with the institution crediting him with supporting academic development, character formation and spiritual growth.
He has also been associated with development initiatives in Ankole Diocese. In July 2026, the diocese and university marked his 16 years as bishop and chancellor, with church leaders highlighting his contribution to both church and community development.
Amos Magezi
The Bishop of Northwest Ankole, Amos Magezi, is listed for early retirement on January 1, 2028. Magezi became the first Bishop of Northwest Ankole Diocese, which was created out of Ankole Diocese. He was consecrated and enthroned on October 1, 2017, at St Paul’s Cathedral in Ibanda.
Before becoming bishop, Magezi served as Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda from 2014. He had earlier been Dean of St James Cathedral Ruharo, Mission Coordinator for Ankole Diocese and chaplain of Mbarara High School.
He was also the founding director and principal of Uganda Bible Institute, Ankole Diocese, a position he held from 2003 to 2010.
As the first bishop of Northwest Ankole, Magezi took charge of a newly created diocese carved from Ankole and pledged to promote unity, transparency and good governance.
The retirement of the seven bishops is expected to set off a major succession process across the Church of Uganda, with dioceses preparing for consultations, elections, consecrations and the eventual installation of new bishops.
The proposed consecration dates currently listed areJanuary 30, February 7, May 16, May 30, July 25, August 15 and September 26, 2027, with an additional date of June 13 appearing on the schedule without a year attached.
The dates will need to be matched to specific dioceses and incoming bishops once the Church formally releases the full consecration programme.
The leadership changes will also coincide with the end of Kaziimba’s tenure as Archbishop. The Church has already begun preparations for the transition, with Kaziimba undertaking farewell pastoral visits across the province ahead of his retirement.
