Court blocks Archbishop Ntagali's takeover of West Ankole Diocese

The Civil Division of High Court has blocked the Archbishop, Stanley Ntagali from taking over the Episcopal jurisdiction of West Ankole Diocese.
Justice Lydia Mugambe issued the injunction on Thursday morning following

challenging the decision by Ntagali to over the Diocese.
Recently, Archbishop Ntagali appointed a Commissary committee comprising of Rev Canon Wilfred Tumuhairwe, Ass Professor Canon Emmanuel Karooro, Alison Ayetoraniire and Marvin Baryaruha to take over the activities of the diocese following the

Emotional handover as Bishop Katoneene ends troubled era

Emotional. It was a mixture of joy, memories and emotions as the diocese bid farewell to the retiring Katoneene after 11 years at the helm of pastoral administration.

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Ntagali was scheduled to inaugurate the Commissary today (Thursday) at the Provincial headquarters in Namirembe, Kampala.
However, a group of canons and Christians from West Ankole diocese petitioned court through their lawyers, Owen Murangira & Co. Advocates together with Paul Tusubira & Co Advocated, saying the

Archbishop Ntagali takes over West Ankole Diocese

Anglican Church head will assume and exercise jurisdiction over the diocese until anew bishop is installed

is unlawful.
In their application, the petitioners led by Christopher Kisembo, said the Archbishop acted in breach of his authority and the constitution of the Province of the Church of Uganda when he appointed a commission to choose a new Bishop for West Ankole Diocese upon the retirement of Katonene.

They also claimed that as the West Ankole Diocese Synod members, they had already put in a place a commission to appoint a new Bishop.
They contend that the move by the Archbishop is unlawful and undermines their role as members of West Ankole Diocesan Electoral College/ Diocesan Nominations Committee.
They also contend that the action of the Archbishop boarders on abuse of office and cause unnecessary mental torture for the canons. The archbishop was represented by the Provincial Chancellor Barnabas Tumusingiize.

This afternoon, Justice Lydia Mugambe issued a temporary injunction blocking the Commissary committee from taking over the activities of West Ankole Diocese until October 30, when the matter will be resolved.
She ordered the West Ankole Diocesan Secretary Reverend Canon Arthur Atwine to take over the Episcopal jurisdiction of the Diocese until when the dispute is resolved.