NTUNGAMO — The Worldwide Anglican Church has publicly responded to the Church of Uganda over a recent stern warning regarding the alleged unauthorized use of hymns, vestments, liturgical practices and clerical attire by individuals associated with the group.
The Church of Uganda had stated that the vestments, hymns and other liturgical practices are not for the Church of Uganda alone, implying restrictions on their use by other groups.
The Bishop of Kasese Diocese under the Worldwide Anglican Church and the Archbishop-Elect for Western Uganda, Rt. Rev. Christopher Bwambale, who will be consecrated on 26th July 2026, said the vestments and clerical attire belong to all Anglicans.
“I can state it clearly that no cloth or hymn was made for any one church, because the cloth is manufactured in a factory and it was not manufactured for the Church of Uganda,” he said. “What separates us are the logos designed on the attire.”
He added that he believes there are individuals within the Church of Uganda who are fighting over religious titles, but not the Church of Uganda organization as a whole. “Church leaders under the Church of Uganda share together whenever they meet, and they also attend our functions,” he said.
On hymns, Bishop Bwambale said they were written by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer of the Church of England, founded in 1549, and later adopted during the Anglican Reformation. “We use Anglican hymns, not Church of Uganda hymns,” he said.
Bishop Bwambale said churches are branches of God’s work and serve one living God. He called on all church leaders, regardless of affiliation, to preach healing and salvation and to avoid harassing each other or fighting over numbers in church.
The Bishop-Elect for Greater Ankole Diocese under the Worldwide Anglican Church, Rt. Rev. Nelson Buhamizo, said if the Church of Uganda wants to distance itself from other Anglican churches, it is free to do so. “For us, we will not desist from putting on vestments, using the same hymns and other liturgical practices,” he said.
The Worldwide Anglican Church traces its origins to South Africa on 15th September 1921, when some Africans and whites worshipping under the Church of South Africa during apartheid decided to form their own church. The movement later spread worldwide.
On *26th July 2026*, the Worldwide Anglican Church will consecrate two Archbishops: Samuel Ssebufu for Central Uganda Archdiocese and Christopher Bwambale for Western Uganda Archdiocese. Two bishops will also be consecrated: Nelson Buhamizo for Greater Ankole Diocese and Rev. Canon Zaaka Kalimi for all churches in prisons under the Worldwide Anglican Church in Uganda.
_Story by: Amon Muhumuza, Ntungamo District_
