FARE THEE WELL, CANON KASAMBA: Church of Uganda Loses Respected Leader, UCU Community Pays Tribute

The Church of Uganda and Uganda Christian University (UCU) are mourning the death of Rev. Canon Lusania Kasamba, a revered Anglican priest, educator, church administrator and mentor whose ministry shaped generations of clergy and Christian leaders across Uganda.

Canon Kasamba, who served as the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda and later as a lecturer at Uganda Christian University, died on Thursday, prompting an outpouring of tributes from church leaders, former students and Christians across the country.

Leading the tributes was the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, who described the late cleric as a devoted servant of God whose influence extended far beyond the classroom and church offices.”I have been informed this morning that Rev. Canon Lusania Kasamba, the former Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, has rested in glory,” Archbishop Kaziimba posted on X.

“He taught me Church History at Uganda Christian University. He was a great disciplinarian, passionate evangelist and a role model to us that he mentored.”The Archbishop concluded his message by praying for God’s comfort to the bereaved family and the wider Christian community, quoting 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

A LIFE DEDICATED TO THE CHURCH

For decades, Canon Kasamba was among the most respected figures in Uganda’s Anglican Church.

As Provincial Secretary, he played a central role in the administration of the Church of Uganda, helping coordinate the affairs of the province during a period of significant growth and institutional development. The position made him one of the Church’s senior administrators, working closely with successive archbishops and bishops in implementing the church’s mission and governance.

Beyond administration, he was widely admired as a gifted preacher, teacher and mentor whose commitment to evangelism inspired countless Christians.

SHAPING FUTURE LEADERS

After his years in church leadership, Canon Kasamba joined Uganda Christian University, where he lectured in Church History.

Many of today’s bishops, priests, theologians and Christian professionals passed through his classroom. Among them was Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba himself, who often acknowledged Canon Kasamba’s influence on his spiritual and academic formation.

Students remember him as a strict but caring lecturer who insisted on discipline, punctuality and academic excellence while encouraging them to live lives rooted in Christian values.His lectures on the history of Christianity were known for combining scholarship with practical lessons on servant leadership and faithful ministry.

PASSIONATE EVANGELIST

Friends and colleagues describe Canon Kasamba as a man deeply committed to spreading the Gospel. Whether preaching in churches, teaching at university or mentoring young clergy, he remained passionate about nurturing future generations of Christian leaders.

His ministry stretched across parishes, dioceses and institutions, earning him respect throughout the Anglican Communion in Uganda. Those who worked alongside him say he believed that effective church leadership required integrity, humility and unwavering faith in Christ.

A MENTOR TO MANY

Even after retirement from active administrative service, Canon Kasamba remained a respected elder whose counsel was sought by bishops, clergy and church workers.

In 2022, Archbishop Kaziimba visited Canon Kasamba at his home in Mukono to pray with him and thank God for his lifelong contribution to ministry, describing him as “our mentor.”The visit reflected the high esteem in which he was held by the Church of Uganda and the generations of leaders he had helped shape.

ENDURING LEGACY

Canon Kasamba leaves behind a legacy of faithful service, disciplined leadership and Christian mentorship. His contribution to the Church of Uganda extended beyond titles and offices. Through his teaching, administration and pastoral ministry, he influenced thousands of lives and strengthened the Church’s institutions.

As tributes continue to pour in, many remember him not only as a senior church leader but also as a humble servant of God who devoted his life to preaching the Gospel and preparing others for ministry. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family and the Church of Uganda.Though Canon Lusania Kasamba has departed this life, his legacy lives on in the countless clergy, students and believers whose lives he touched through decades of faithful Christian service.

Author Profile

Stephen Kasozi Muwambi: Mr. Stephen Kasozi Muwambi is a seasoned crime investigative writer, majoring in judicial-based stories. His two decades’ experience as a senior investigative journalist has made him one of the best to reckon on in Uganda. He can also be reached via [email protected]