By Mukembo Wilfred
Amid jubilation at Kyabazinga Stadium, the Church of Uganda consecrated and enthroned Rt. Rev. Prof. Dr. Grace Lubaale as the 4th Bishop of Busoga Diocese, marking a historic milestone for the diocese and the wider Anglican community.
The ceremony was presided over by His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, assisted by the Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe, Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese. It drew a cross-section of political, cultural, and religious leaders, including Vice President Jessica Alupo, who represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Dr. Lubaale’s election by the House of Bishops in October 2025 was widely welcomed as a moment of spiritual renewal and unity for Busoga Diocese. Yet the occasion also underscored growing expectations for church leadership to play a more visible role in national development, particularly in poverty alleviation and wealth creation.
In a congratulatory message delivered on his behalf, President Museveni praised the Church for complementing government efforts through education, health care, and other social services. He noted that religious institutions have benefited from private sector–friendly policies and are now expected to deepen their contribution to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.
The President challenged church leaders to go beyond moral guidance and mobilize congregations toward active participation in wealth creation. He emphasized the need for every household to engage in a productive enterprise—whether in agriculture, industry, ICT, or services—to move from subsistence livelihoods into the modern economy.
Archbishop Kaziimba echoed this message, calling on the people of Busoga to harness the economic potential of the River Nile while maintaining peace and stability during the ongoing election period. The Premier of the Busoga Kingdom, Joseph Muvawala, emphasized that exemplary leadership and responsible stewardship would be vital in aligning church initiatives with government development priorities.
In his maiden address as bishop, Dr. Lubaale acknowledged the weight of these expectations. He pledged to champion good governance, capacity building, resource mobilization, and family ministry, positioning his episcopal leadership as both a spiritual calling and a driver of socio-economic transformation within the diocese.
Born in 1978 in Kamuli District, Dr. Lubaale holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies alongside multiple theological and development qualifications. He brings extensive ecclesiastical experience to the office and is married with four children.
As the 4th Bishop of Busoga Diocese assumes office, the celebrations of faith were accompanied by a clear message: the role of the Church in Uganda is increasingly viewed through a dual lens—spiritual stewardship and active engagement in national development—a shift that may redefine expectations of religious leadership in the years ahead.
