The Roman Catholic
Church in Uganda is facing a tough test as more priests walk away from
the mainstream, threatening the harmony and discipline it has always
been associated with.
At Lubaga, the seat
of Kampala Archdiocese, there are fears that the growing resentment
among priests towards Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga's leadership
could lead to an Arua-like scenario.
A source at Lubaga
told The Observer on Friday that the number of disenchanted priests has
grown over what they call the archbishop's high-handedness.
"What happened in
Arua is not far from happening at Lubaga because of the way the
archdiocese is being managed," the source said.
On September 22, a
combined force of regular and military police fought running battles
with angry Christians at Ediofe cathedral in Arua.
The Christians who
converged overnight wanted to evict the Arua diocesan bishop Sabino Ocan
Odoki who they accuse of mismanaging the diocesan affairs.
Bishop Odoki too
has a trail of bad relations with priests under him.
Some rebel priests
in Kampala archdiocese have chosen to take a low profile while others
have defected and joined charismatic preacher Fr Jacinto Kibuuka, who
was suspended from the Catholic Church in July.
Others are Fr Deogratius Ssonko and Fr Anthony Ssewanyana.