Ugandan Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) leader Pastor Dr. Moses Ndimukika Maka was elected Executive Secretary of the East-Central Africa Division (ECD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a move that has triggered a major leadership transition within the Church in Uganda.
Dr. Maka was elected on July 8, 2025, during the 62nd General Conference Session of the global Seventh-day Adventist Church.
His new role places him among the top administrative leaders responsible for coordinating church work across the East-Central Africa region, which spans several countries.
Born on June 13, 1969, in Buwagi, Budondo, Jinja District, Dr. Maka brings more than 30 years of pastoral, academic, and administrative experience to the position.
Ordained in 1995, he began his ministry as a pastor and district leader in Jinja Central, Iganga, and Busei before transitioning into church administration and higher education.
Dr. Maka has played a key role in Adventist education, serving as a lecturer and later as Principal and Director of Bugema University’s Kampala campus.
His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Theology from Spicer Adventist University in India, a Master of Arts in Theology from Newbold College in the United Kingdom, and a Ph.D. in Biblical Theology from Sahmyook University in South Korea, completed in 2015.
Before his election to the ECD, Dr. Maka served as Executive Secretary of the Uganda Union Mission from 2021 and was later appointed Union President during the East-Central Africa Division Session in August 2022.
His leadership has been marked by a strong emphasis on mission outreach, spiritual growth, leadership development, financial stewardship, and pastoral capacity building.
New leadership in Uganda
Following his elevation to the regional role, Pastor Samuel Kajoba has been appointed the new President of the Uganda Union Mission.
Kajoba previously served as President of the Central Uganda Conference and brings over three decades of church leadership experience.
Born in November 1958, he holds a Bachelor of Theology from Bugema University and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theory from the Adventist University of Africa.
Speaking after his appointment, Pastor Kajoba expressed gratitude to God and called for national unity and peace as Uganda approaches the 2026 general elections.
He emphasized evangelism as the Church’s central mission, noting that peace is essential for meaningful spiritual and social progress.
As part of the leadership changes, Pastor David Ssemwogerere, formerly Executive Director of the North Buganda Field, has been appointed President of the Central Uganda Conference, replacing Pastor Kajoba.
The Church also unveiled other key national leaders.
Pastor Nicholas Birigwa, 44, was appointed Executive Secretary of the Uganda Union Mission.
Birigwa, a physicist and mathematician pursuing a Ph.D. in Theology at the Adventist University of Africa in Kenya, brings experience in teaching, chaplaincy, and district leadership.
He is married to Rachael Nakibuuka, and they have five children.
Elder Isaac Lyada, 40, was named Executive Treasurer. A finance professional with 12 years of treasury service within the Adventist Church, Lyada pledged to serve with integrity and diligence in his new role.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Uganda has previously been led by prominent figures such as Elder Stanley Kyambadde, Elder John Lugga, Elder Daniel Matte, and Pastor Moses Maka.
The newly installed leadership team has committed to strengthening mission work, deepening discipleship, and laying a firm foundation for sustainable growth of the Church from 2025 to 2030.
