The Anglican Church of Uganda has a new leader. He is Archbishop Henry Orombi, who formerly headed Nebbi Diocese in the north-west.
Though hailed as a fiery priest with enormous persuasive, intellectual and mobilisation capacity, little is known about the political inclination of this 54-year old British-educated clergyman. He was elected to the high position on July 3.
Expected to assume office in January next year, Archbishop Orombi takes over from the politically less controversial, Bishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, who was sympathetic to the ruling National Resistance Movement.
Nkoyoyo was a practical man, whose regime realised the completion of a multi-million dollar residence befitting the head of the Church.
Archbishop Orombi comes in at a time when people's expectations of church leaders on matters of politics are high. A research conducted recently indicated that clergymen were the most highly trusted on political matters.
Seen as closer to the government, the Anglican Church, which has five million members in Uganda, has been less forthright in its criticism of political programmes, compared to the Catholic Church.
However, the issuance of a joint declaration from the Joint Christian Council, on churches' disapproval of an intended constitutional amendment to allow President Museveni stand for a third term, indicates the Church's endorsement to this trend.
Orombi becomes the third Anglican Archbishop since President Yoweri Museveni took power, and the second from northern Ugandan since the country's independence.