Church of Uganda Halts False Busoga Bishop Election Rumors

By David Mwanje

On August 4, 2025, the Church of Uganda firmly stopped false social media claims that a new Bishop had been elected for the Busoga Diocese. Rev. Canon William Ongeng, the Provincial Secretary, declared from Kampala, “No election has happened. These rumors are fake and should be ignored.” The Diocese of Busoga, without a Bishop since Rt. Rev. Michael Okello retired, was shaken by misinformation spreading fast on X, confusing the faithful.

The Busoga Anglican community trusts a sacred process to choose Bishops. It starts when a diocese needs a leader. A group called the Nominations Committee, made of wise clergy and church members, picks candidates known for their faith and leadership. Then, the House of Bishops prays and selects the new Bishop, guided by the Holy Spirit.

Only after this careful process does the Church share the name of the Bishop-elect through official channels. In Busoga, no such steps had been taken, making the social media claims a lie.

Rev. Canon Ongeng called for calm, urging people not to share unverified stories that could divide the Church. “We’ll announce the new Bishop through our official platforms when the time comes,” he promised.

His words reassured the faithful, who gathered in churches across Jinja, Iganga, and Kamuli, praying and singing with renewed trust. They knew the Church’s process was rooted in prayer and integrity, not swayed by online chatter.

The rumors had spread quickly, with X posts falsely naming a Bishop-elect. Some churchgoers, eager for news, shared the posts, unaware they were untrue. But the Church’s swift response cut through the noise, reminding everyone to wait for official word.

In Busoga, the faithful returned to their daily worship, their hearts steady with faith. They prayed for the Nominations Committee and the Bishops, trusting God to guide the choice of their next leader.

The Church of Uganda stood strong, its commitment to a fair and holy process shining bright. The people of Busoga, united in prayer, ignored the false rumors and waited patiently for their new Bishop, confident that God’s timing would prevail.

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