AFRICA/UGANDA - "Beware of individuals who pretend to be bishops and priests from West Africa"

Kampala (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church has warned its followers in various dioceses within the Kampala province on the presence of individuals falsely representing themselves as Bishops and a priest from West Africa.
These individuals claimed to be bishops visiting Uganda and attempted to conduct a Mass in the Byeyogerere area.
Father Joseph Mukiibi, Communications Director of the Archdiocese of Kampala, confirmed that he had received a similar report but have no knowledge of any foreign bishop in the country. He also mentioned that the archdiocese has initiated an inquiry into the matter.
Father Mukiibi emphasized that within the Catholic Church, visiting Bishops are required to notify the local ordinary or parish priests in advance before conducting Mass. He urged the faithful not to attend Mass celebrated by individuals who are unfamiliar parish priests.
We also learned that a former seminarian, Francis Xervier Luyinda, who was previously discontinued from his studies reemerged as an ordained priest and is said to be active in the Lugazi and Masaka dioceses; Msgr. Richard Kayondo, the Vicar General of the Lugazi diocese, explained that this individual, originally from Masaka, was once a seminarian undergoing training to become a priest of the Lugazi diocese. He added that Luyinda had completed studies at St. Thomas Aquinas National Major Seminary-Katigondo and was soon finishing his theological studies at St. Paul& National Major Seminary – Kinyamasika.
However, despite being on the path to becoming a priest, he was removed from the formation process. Msgr. Kayondo expressed his surprise at the individual presence in the diocese, falsely claiming to have been ordained.
The vicar general adds that there have been reports and allegations that after being discontinued from his seminary studies, the individual in question traveled to Cameroon, where he allegedly received ordination. However, Lugazi Diocese has conducted inquiries with authorities in Cameroon and has been informed that Luyinda was not ordained within the Roman Catholic Church there.
He added, Mr. Luyinda did not follow this standard route; instead, he associated with fraudulent individuals and later returned, claiming to be a priest. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 7/9/2023)

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