By Swift Reporter
Dramatic scenes unfolded on Sunday when the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, was confronted by a section of Ugandans living in the United States during a church service in Boston.
Videos widely circulated on social media show a tense moment inside the church, where a small group of congregants disrupted proceedings, shouting at the Archbishop and briefly halting the service. The confrontation created a standoff that drew attention from attendees before the situation was brought under control.
According to the Archbishop’s press secretary and communications officer, Adams Sadiiki, the incident was minor and did not derail the service.
“The Archbishop is on his international tour of duty, and the service went on well despite a slight disruption by an individual or two. It was contained and ministry continued,” Sadiiki said on Monday, dismissing reports portraying the incident as more serious.
The Archbishop is currently on a pastoral and outreach visit to the United States, engaging Ugandan diaspora communities.
While the exact cause of the confrontation remains unclear, the incident comes amid ongoing debate over the role of religious leaders in speaking out on governance and human rights issues in Uganda.
In recent weeks, Archbishop Kaziimba has faced criticism from some quarters urging him to take a more outspoken stance, drawing comparisons to Janani Luwum, who was killed in 1977 after openly challenging state abuses.
Responding to such calls during a sermon in Kampala on April 19, Kaziimba defended his approach, arguing that impact does not necessarily come from public confrontation.
“Do you think I can make an impact by being killed?” he asked, adding that he chooses methods he believes are more effective and guided by faith.
He further said that while some leaders speak out publicly, he prefers a more measured approach, citing biblical examples to support his position.
The Boston incident now highlights how domestic debates over leadership, faith, and public accountability are increasingly resonating within Ugandan communities abroad.
Despite the disruption, church officials maintain that the Archbishop’s mission in the United States continues as planned.
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