KAMPALA
The Church of Uganda has issued a strongly worded statement in response to the appointment of the Rt. Rev. Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, marking the first time a woman has held the highest office in the Church of England. While the appointment has been hailed by many as a historic step toward gender equality within the Anglican Communion, it has also sparked significant controversy among more conservative provinces.
In a letter addressed to Christians of the Church of Uganda and shared publicly via social media, Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu expressed deep sorrow over the decision, citing Mullally’s support for same-sex marriage and other positions viewed as contrary to traditional Anglican doctrine.
“Our sadness about this appointment is her support and advocacy for unbiblical positions on sexuality and same-sex marriage,” wrote Archbishop Kaziimba. “This reveals her departure from the historic Anglican positions that uphold the authority of Scripture for faith and life.”
The Church of Uganda, a founding member of the Global Anglican Future Conference (Gafcon), views the appointment as a further rupture in the unity of the Anglican Communion—a tear that began in 2003 with the consecration of a bishop in a same-sex relationship by The Episcopal Church in the United States.
“The tear in the fabric of the Anglican Communion has now reached the highest level,” the statement continued. “There appears to be no repentance.”
The Archbishop reaffirmed the Church of Uganda’s alignment with Gafcon and the Global South Fellowship of Anglicans, movements that uphold traditional interpretations of Scripture and Anglican doctrine. He emphasized that the Church of Uganda no longer recognizes the Archbishop of Canterbury as a global spiritual authority, reducing the role to that of “Primate of All England.”
Despite the theological rift, Archbishop Kaziimba offered prayers for those within the Church of England who may feel disillusioned by the appointment and extended fellowship through Gafcon.
“The future of Gospel-centred mission in our Anglican tradition is bright,” he concluded. “We will proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations.”
Sarah Mullally, currently Bishop of London and a former Chief Nursing Officer for England, will be installed at Canterbury Cathedral in March 2026. Her appointment has been praised by many within the Church of England and beyond as a landmark moment for women in ministry.
As the Anglican Communion continues to grapple with questions of doctrine, inclusion, and authority, Mullally’s leadership promises both challenge and change while the Church of Uganda remains steadfast in its commitment to historic Anglican orthodoxy.
