Mbabazi Pierre who sued Kigezi Diocese talked to Magara Darious the Managing Editor of Eastafricanwatch.net and explained his mission and why he is in court. Read the details in Q&A interview bellow;
1. Who is Pierre Mbabazi and what do you do?
I am Mbabazi Pierre a born of Kakore Parish, Hamurwa sub county in Rubanda district. I was born in 1978 to dad; Timiseo Karyarugokwe and Mother; Christine Karyarugokwe.
I am married to Magret Mbabazi and we wedded from St. Philips Church of Uganda(COU) (Bugongi in Kabale town) and we have blessed children.
I was baptized from Bukombe Church of Uganda a church under Hamurwa Parish. And I was later confirmed as a Christian by retired Bishop of Kigezi Doicese Rt. Rev. William Rukirande from Nyaruhanga church of Uganda.
On what I do. I am a Farmer, Director Greater Kigezi Patriotic Farmers Association, LCV Councilor Hamurwa Subcounty, Deputy Speaker Rubanda District.
2. What are your Christian convictions?
I am a repentant sinner, I became born again in 1995 when I was in Senior 3 and I was tired of sin and today I work and love to speak the truth and to fight for it at all costs.
3.Do you have a post in the Anglican church and how do you serve your church and Christ?
I did many things as a youth at UCC Kabale and today I sing in the church choir at St. Philips COU. I also served as church warden twice once at Kikungiri where Rev Gad was an Archdeacon and i also served as a church warden at All Saints Church in Kabale.
I am a believer and I preach the gospel basing on the 3 pillars; Jesus is the way, truth and Life.
4. Why did you sue Kigezi Diocese and what justice are you seeking from Court?
As a Christian believer, I like and work for the truth, I want the truth to reign in the Diocese. Kigezi Diocese is known for the revival that happened during the late Bishop Festo Kivengere’s time, we should uphold the truth and other values associated with such a revival. I am fighting lies, bribery. I took the file of one of the candidates for the position of a Bishop when they advertised and I was in company of Prof Augustus Niwagaba but our candidate was not considered on grounds that our file went missing yet we delivered it at Kigezi Diocese offices and have a received and stamped copy. This type of lie is of the devil and it has to be fought.
After Rev Gad was elected, we protested the process and I sent a complaint to the Province of the Church of Uganda we did not get redress nor any response, so, we went to court asking them to order the Province to hear or address our complaint. We were suffocated by the church systems that is why I am in the High court of Uganda.
5. When do you expect judgement?
The judgment has delayed but was supposed to be given in September but the Judges were in a workshop. We have been told that it will be delivered on notice and that is anytime from now. It was first expected on 27th September 2024. We are waiting for the ruling on our application to court.
6.What do you expect from this ruling?
It is a tricky case and we asked court for an order that orders the church to attend to our complaint. It was shared in some circles that Bruce Kyerere a lawyer and the chancellor of Kigezi diocese was told that he should have settled the matter so that it is not judged by some people who may not even be Christians and are outside the church circles.
7. As if the church negotiated with you to withdraw the case, is this true?
No, I cannot negotiate with any one on this because I am fighting for the truth and justice in the church of Christ. I believe I have support of all those qualified clergy that were qualified to be appointed but were never appointed. We have over 100 clergy in Kigezi Diocese who qualify for this office yet the one who lacked the academic qualifications was appointed, it is wrong!
8. This case is before which judge, and who are your lawyers and those of the COU?
We are before Justice Musa Ssekana, I am represented by Nanyombi, Kyamuhangire Advocates and Mr. Bruce Kyerere is always with some counsel one Agaba in Court they represent the COU.
9. Some people think that some politicians in Kigezi are using you to fight Bishop Gad Akanjuna and Kigezi Diocese. Why can’t you leave the case maybe they will address their challenges as a church or Diocese.
Hahaa , they are wrong, nobody told them to break the canons of the COU. And I can’t leave the case because I am pursuing the truth, them that lie are of the devil and he is their father. They must stop finding wrong excuses and correct these errors and sins.
10. The African especially Banyankole, Bakiga have a saying that when you see the private part of your mother, you ignore it, why would you not apply this in respect to your issues with Kigezi Diocese?
That is culture it does not apply in the church, so I have to move on and pursue the truth and justice to free Kigezi Diocese from wrong people and mafias. These mafias have been around for some time and they should be fought and leave the church of Christ.
11. Who do you think should be or should have been elected Bishop of Kigezi Diocese?
Any one of the clergies in Kigezi who are qualified can be appointed Bishop of Kigezi Diocese. And even those outside the diocese can be appointed since they are not blocked by the law of the church. And even a single clergy (not married) who has the right age and has the academic qualifications can also be appointed Bishop since the Bible is clear on celibacy. Even a lady clergy can be elected Bishop in COU.
12. Why have you called for 40 days fasting?
We are praying that God intervenes so that the judgement can come out since it has delayed.
Has Kabale man gone mad against Kigezi Diocese; see why he has declared a 40 days fasting and prayer
13.Why can’t you leave COU and join the Pentecostal church where you can be grounded and serve freely?
I will not leave because the Bible says we should resit the devil. When Jesus found people selling goods in church, he beat them. I will not leave Kigezi diocese. I am waiting for the church Tribunal to deliver or serve justice to the Christians of Kigezi Diocese on this case.
14. If you met Bishop Gad what would you tell him?
I would tell him to read John 14;16. Jesus is the way the truth and life. He should pursue the truth. (“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”
