By the Rt. Rev. Alfred Olwa ( Chairperson of the UCU Governing Council & Bishop of Lango Diocese)

Rev. Canon Lusaniya Kasamba stands out in my memory and in the collective memory of my classmates as one of those rare servants of God whose life quietly shaped generations without seeking recognition.

I first encountered him not only as a lecturer in Church History, but also in the life of the chapel, where I served as treasurer during my student years. In both spaces—academic and spiritual—he carried the same calm authority, humility, and depth of conviction. He did not merely teach history; he made it breathe. Through vivid storytelling and pastoral insight, he connected the story of the Church to the lived realities of students preparing for ministry.

As chaplain, his presence was steady and reassuring. He had a remarkable ability to draw people in—across backgrounds, disciplines, and spiritual maturity—into a shared life of faith. Many of us were shaped more by his character than by his lectures: his integrity, his simplicity, and his consistent pastoral concern for each student.

Later, by God’s grace, I found myself serving as faculty dean while he remained one of the respected voices in the faculty. Even then, he never lost the humility that marked his earlier years. He treated colleagues with dignity, listened with patience, and continued to offer wisdom without imposing it. In every season, he remained a teacher in the truest sense—not only of minds, but of lives.

My classmates who walked that journey with me will agree: Canon Kasamba was more than a lecturer or chaplain. He was a formative presence—one who quietly built convictions, shaped character, and pointed us steadily to Christ.

His legacy endures not in titles or positions, but in the lives he helped to form. For us, he remains a faithful steward of God’s truth, a model of pastoral integrity, and a gracious servant of the Church. 

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The Rev. Canon. Lusaniya Kasamba was the first Chaplain of UCU. More about him is available here