Anglican Church in Uganda rejects new Canterbury head over Homosexuality support

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Rt. Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has rejected the appointment of the Rt. Rev. Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, accusing the Church of England of abandoning biblical truth by endorsing a leader who supports same-sex marriage.

Kaziimba, in a strongly-worded statement released, described the decision as a “grievous error” that deepens the global Anglican divide, saying it represents “a further tear in the fabric of the Communion” that began two decades ago when the Episcopal Church in the USA consecrated a bishop in a same-sex relationship.

“The Church of England’s decision demonstrates a clear departure from historic Anglican positions that uphold the authority of Scripture for faith and life,” Archbishop Kaziimba said, adding that Uganda’s Church and others aligned under the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) no longer recognize Canterbury as the moral or spiritual head of the global Communion.

Archbishop Kaziimba also clarified that while Sarah Mullally will remain the Primate of All England, she will no longer hold spiritual authority over the global Anglican community. “We cannot recognize Canterbury as our global leader when its leadership continues to affirm unbiblical practices,” Kaziimba said.

He reaffirmed Uganda’s membership in the conservative Global South Fellowship of Anglicans, emphasizing that the Church remains rooted in scriptural orthodoxy and committed to gospel truth. “We are part of a worldwide communion of Anglicans who continue to proclaim the historic and biblical faith of Anglicanism — faithfulness to Christ and submission to the authority of Scripture,” he noted.

Despite the widening global rift, Kaziimba reassured Christians in Uganda that the Church remains strong, united, and focused on its spiritual mission.
“The future of Gospel-centered mission in our Anglican tradition is bright. We will proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations,” he said.

The development marks one of the most significant ruptures in Anglican unity in recent years, with Uganda joining several African and Asian provinces distancing themselves from Canterbury over LGBTQ+ doctrinal shifts in the West.