MBARARA, Uganda — Dr. Silver Mugisha, the managing director of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, has been elected head of the laity in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mbarara, taking over from Gervase Ndyanabo, who completed his two terms.
Dr. Mugisha, who is serving as head of laity at Kitabi Parish, previously worked as deputy to Ndyanabo at the archdiocesan level. He is widely known within church circles for his calm leadership style and long standing involvement in Catholic lay activities.
His election comes at a time when the Catholic Church worldwide is emphasizing greater participation of ordinary believers in church life through the Synod on Synodality, a reform process championed by Pope Francis. The synod encourages lay Catholics to take a more active role in decision making, evangelization and community leadership alongside clergy and religious leaders.
In many parts of the world, the synod process has renewed discussions about inclusion, listening and shared responsibility within the Church. In Uganda, church leaders have increasingly encouraged lay people to strengthen parish structures, participate in social development and support the Church’s mission beyond the altar.
The election of Dr. Mugisha reflects that growing emphasis on active lay leadership within the Church, especially in western Uganda where the Mbarara Archdiocese has built one of the country’s most structured lay leadership systems.
Leadership within the Mbarara Archdiocese follows a grassroots model. According to the statutes guiding lay leadership in the archdiocese, one must first serve within a Small Christian Community, which can consist of as few as 15 families.
From there, leaders are elected to the Hiika or center level, which is overseen by a catechist, before advancing to parish leadership. It is parish leaders who later elect the archdiocesan leadership.
Church leaders say the structure is designed to ensure that those elected understand the daily realities of ordinary Christians and remain closely connected to local communities.
Dr. Mugisha will be deputized by Emmanuel Mbarebaki, the head of laity at Nyamitanga Cathedral Parish.
The election was held on May 15 during a gathering that brought together clergy, parish council leaders from across the archdiocese.
Ndyanabo, who remains the national head of laity in Uganda and is serving his second term in that position, has been credited for strengthening collaboration between lay faithful and church leadership.
Under his leadership, participation of lay Catholics in church administration and community activities expanded significantly across the archdiocese. He also championed structured leadership systems aimed at deepening accountability and participation among ordinary church members.
The Catholic laity, who make up the vast majority of the Church’s more than one billion followers worldwide, are neither ordained clergy nor members of religious orders. Since the reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, the Church has consistently emphasized the role of lay people in promoting faith, justice and social transformation within society.
In Uganda, lay organizations continue to play an influential role in education, health care, family life and moral formation, often serving as a bridge between the Church and wider society.
