The Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) has elected Archbishop Gervas John Nyaisonga of Mbeya, Tanzania, as the new Chairperson.
Archbishop Nyaisonga succeeds Bishop Charles Kasonde of Solwezi Diocese, Zambia, who has served the region for the past 8 years. The gathering also appointed Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Kaufa of Malawi as the new Secretary General. Fr. Kaufa previously served as Deputy Secretary General and the Communications Coordinator at AMECEA.
The Executive Board Members who will lead the AMECEA region for the next 4 years include Most Rev. Anthony Muheria of Nyeri, Kenya, Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga, Malawi, Rt. Rev. Stephen Nyodho Majwok of Malakal, South Sudan, Rt. Rev. Evans Chinyama Chinyemba OMI, of Mongu, Zambia, Rt. Rev. Thomas Osman OFM Cap, of Barentu, Eritrea, Rt. Rev. Joseph Anthony Zziwa, of Kiyinda- Mityana, Uganda, Rt. Rev. Vincent Cosmas Mwagala, of Mafinga, Tanzania, Rt. Rev. Seyoum Fransua Noel- Apostolic Vicar of Hosanna, Ethiopia, and Rt. Rev. Mark Kadima, of Bungoma, Kenya, who serves as CUEA Council Chairman, and Ex-officio Member of the AMECEA executive board.
The Assembly also confirmed and appointed new heads of key departments within the AMECEA Secretariat to strengthen the Church’s pastoral, social and development ministries across the region.
Rev. Fr. Florence Rutaihwa Rwehumbiza was confirmed as the head of the Pastoral Department, continuing his service in promoting pastoral programs among the member Episcopal Conferences.
The Promotion of Integral Human Development Department will now be led by Rev. Fr. Peter Muidie Zingari of South Sudan, the outgoing Rector of St. Isidore Bakanja Seminary. His office will oversee the Church’s work on justice, peace, social development, and humanitarian concerns.
AMECEA also appointed Rev. Fr. Winfred Kunda of the Diocese of Ndola, Zambia, as the new head of the Social Communications Department, where he will spearhead the Church’s communication and media apostolate across Eastern Africa.
At the AMECEA Blessed Isidore Bakanja College, Rev. Fr. Castro Goliama of Tanzania was appointed as the new Rector, while Rev. Prof. Elias Omondi-Opongo was named Vice-Chancellor Designate of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). In line with AMECEA statutes, Archbishop Nyaisonga will also serve as Chancellor of the university.
The Assembly further reconfirmed Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo of Malawi as Coordinator of the AMECEA Pastoral Institute (API), Gaba Campus, and established a special turnaround committee for the institution under the chairmanship of Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe.
In addition, the Bishops reconstituted the Boards of Trustees for both AMECEA and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, alongside a new University Council composed of bishops and lay professionals from across the region to strengthen governance and institutional oversight.
The Board of Trustees for AMECEA includes: Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, who serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Most Rev. Tesfaye (Tesfasilasie) Tadesse Gebresilasie, M.C.C.I. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia; Most Rev. Emmanuel Obbo – Uganda Episcopal Conference; AMECEA Trustee, Most Rev. Menghesteab Tesfamariam, M.C.C.I; Eritrea Catholic Bishops; AMECEA Trustee.
While for the trustees for CUEA stand as the Most Rev. Anthony Muheria, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, taking the lead as Chairman, Board of Trustees, Most. Rev. Lambert Bainomugisha, Uganda Episcopal Conference – University Trustee, Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops – University Trustee, Rt. Rev. Alex Lodiong Sakor, Sudan and South Sudan Conference of Catholic Bishops – University Trustee. And Rt. Rev. George Lungu, Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops – University Trustee.
On the side of University Council- CUEA headed by Rt. Rev. Mark Kadima – Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops- Chairman, University Council, Rt. Rev. Simon Peter Kamomoe, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Rt. Rev. Markos Ghebremedhin, C.M. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia, Rt. Rev. Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Sudan and South Sudan Conference of Catholic Bishops, Rt. Rev. Peter Adrian Chifukwa Malawi, Conference of Catholic Bishops, Rt. Rev. Fikremariam Hagos Tsalim, Eritrea Catholic Bishops, Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa, Uganda Episcopal Conference, Rt. Rev. Patrick Chilekwa Chisanga, Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops, Rt. Rev. Flavian Matindi Kassala, Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Kaufa (SMM), AMECEA Secretary General, Prof. Vincent Bagire, Uganda Episcopal Conference, Prof. Sylvia Temu, Tanzania Episcopal Conference, Mr. Paul Mwaniki Mwalere, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, Dr. Annie Kangwa Chewe, Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Rev. Prof. Elias Omondi Opongo, S.J. Vice Chancellor
The Assembly paid tribute to the outgoing Secretary General, Rev. Fr. Anthony Makunde, for his eight years of dedicated service, and also recognized the contribution of outgoing CUEA Vice-Chancellor Rev. Prof. Stephen Bogonko, whose leadership was credited with raising the university’s academic standing and international reputation.
The was announced at the conclusion of the 21st Plenary Assembly that started on 19th July and concluded on Sunday 26th July 2026, at CUEA in the Capital Nairobi Kenya under the theme “AMECEA’s Journey with the Youth: Building Bridges of Communion, Hope, Justice and Good Governance.” The gathering held every after four years, brings together bishops, priests, religious men and women, lay faithful, youth representatives and guests from across the Eight AMECEA full member Episcopal conferences representing nine countries, along with two affiliate member countries.
By News room
27th July 2026
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