Historical study of conflicts in Busoga Diocese, Church of Uganda (1972-1999)

Abstract

This study is devoted to a historical investigation of the causes, development and effects of the conflicts which affected Busoga Diocese, Church of Uganda between 1972 and 1999. It uses a predominantly historical-narrative research methodology, and argues that these conflicts were not caused by doctrinal differences, but by a combination of many disagreements and divisions, some of which were multi-faceted and sparked by 'petty' issues or events. It discusses chronologically, analytically and with considerable detail how these conflicts, though they were generally not so devastating as to prevent the diocese from growing spiritually and numerically, underscored the presence, in the church, of ambiguity and contradiction. It illustrates how several Christians took issues of the conflicts so personally that they deemed it necessary to resort to emotional and/or physical violence. It also demonstrates the general failure of conflicting groups and third parties in the church to prevent or resolve disputes through proper, constructive and reconciliatory measures.

The thesis comprises six chapters. The first advances a case for the study of the conflicts in the diocese, explaining the problem, purpose, area, period, scope and methodology of the study. The second covers the historical, socio-political and religious setting of Busoga, and the origin and growth ofthe church. It discusses the disasters (both natural and humanmade) and conflicts which have occurred inside and outside Busoga, and locates them within the wider studies of history, conflict, church, ethnicity and politics in Uganda. The third discusses the causes, course and consequences of the conflicts which raged in Busoga Diocese between 1972 and 1988. It illustrates how these conflicts, given the absence of constructive conflict management strategies, escalated and turned malevolent. It ends with a reflection on Anglican conflicts and system of church governance. The fourth discusses the historical and immediate events, irregularities and tensions which resulted in the occurrence of the Busoga Crisis. The fifth examines the outbreak, course, impact and implications of the Busoga Crisis, showing how accusations and counteraccusations made by both pro- and anti-Bamwoze factions, the coercive measures employed by the conflicting groups and third parties, and the power struggles that rocked the Church of Uganda at diocesan and provincial levels made it practically difficult to resolve this conflict. It discusses how it was finally settled and ends with a reflection on the conflict.

The last chapter is devoted to a general reflection on conflicts in Busoga Diocese. It examines the major causal and fuelling factors of these conflicts and shows how and why Busoga Diocese suffered from conflicts more than other dioceses in the Church of Uganda. It discusses lessons learnt and suggests various ways of preventing occurrence of further conflicts or, if they occur, resolving them using constructive and reconciliatory measures. The thesis concludes that the conflicts embarrassed and affected the church greatly. It argues that they were caused and fuelled largely by an inappropriate church system and the absence, in the church, of effective conflict-management skills and machinery. It also argues that the conflicts would not have occurred or been as devastating as they were if there had not been serious irregularities in church governance, and if the church had possessed sufficient skills and effective avenues to prevent such conflicts or resolve them through constructive and reconciliatory measures.