Tension flared in Boston on Sunday after Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu encountered a hostile reception from a section of Ugandans living in the United States during a church service.
On May 3, Kazimba had hoped to do his usual work of shepherding the flock but some sheep seemed to protest inside church.
Videos shared online show a charged atmosphere inside the church with congregants seen confronting the Archbishop.
The church protesters interrupted the church service.
It is said that the confrontation was based on allegations that the ‘servant’ of God had chosen silence or lukewarmness in the face of rights violations in Uganda.
Meanwhile, the Anglican Church of Uganda communications team is downplaying the incident as minor and one being politicized by some people for reasons best known to them.
The Anglican Church of Uganda is hoping that there are no other such disruptions during the ongoing pastoral visit of the Ugandan diaspora.
Weeks ago, Archbishop Kaziimba was in the news over allegations that he had not been as vocal as expected in condemning ills by the regime in Kampala.
“Some people have approached me saying, ‘Why don’t you do like Janani Luwum. The man did a great job. The man who was killed. Do you think I can make an impact by being killed? Then they will say ‘Kaziimba is also a good man, he was killed.’ Don’t I have a family? Why don’t you be sensitive?” Kazimba asked.
“I am a person, I need life also. I have to live. I’m not your savior to carry all your problems. You take them to the cross. I do my part and leave it to God. I am not her to save you. I choose and follow what God leads me to say, and not everything is said publicly.”
He then delved into the Bible, asking if it would help if he spoke our and got killed like John the Baptist who was beheaded.
“I discovered the power of Nathan’s approach than power of John the Baptist’s approach. You can speak and speak but create an impact,” he preached last month.
“John the Baptist did a good job but he ended up losing his head and the mission ended there. Nathan did a good job and ended up saving someone’s life. That’s why we have Psalms 51.”
The confrontation in Boston highlights the growing divide among Ugandans regarding the role of religious leaders in addressing governance and civil liberties issues, a debate that appears to be extending far beyond the country’s borders.
You can read related reporting Here.
It should be remembered that Archbishop Kaziimba and others were vocal in rebuking the Church of England for okaying gay marriages, and treating Ugandan bishops like children. (See Details Here and There).
