Ecclesiastical Polity in Church of Uganda: A Legacy of Bishop Thomas Edison Irigei

Abstract

This study looked back at the polity of the Church of Uganda based on the episcopal legacy of Bishop Thomas Edison Irigei of Kumi Diocese. The pioneer bishop of the diocese between 2001 and 2019, Bishop Irigei had a huge role in establishing the church's administrative, spiritual, and developmental track in the Teso sub-region. Ecclesiastical polity, understood as the system of church governance and authority, was practically manifested in Irigei’s integration of pastoral oversight with socioeconomic empowerment. His tenure was marked by strategic institutional development, including the creation of the Teso Diocese Planning and Development Organization (TEDDO), which bridged the gap between spiritual leadership and community welfare. This study placed the works of Bishop Irigei within the broader Anglican Episcopalian tradition, and through this, examined how his leadership model interlocked with constitutional and theological institutions of the Church of Uganda. The study further examined pitfalls encountered in implementation, such as economic resources, internal conflict, and contested succession on retirement. These disruptions emphasized the vulnerability of ecclesiastical systems to disturbances when charisma is institutionally based. Through qualitative analysis of documented church events, pastoral reports, and community responses, this paper argued that Bishop Irigei’s legacy embodied a contextualized model of ecclesiastical polity rooted in Anglican tradition but adaptive to local realities. His response demonstrated the potential of episcopal power to cross liturgical bounds and influence integral growth. Last but not least, the research contributed to understanding of the intersection of leadership within the church, leadership transition, and sustainable spiritual and social change in the Church of Uganda.