21st AMECEA Plenary Concludes with Renewed Commitment to Youth and New Leadership Appointments

The 21st Plenary Assembly of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA) concluded on Sunday, July 26, 2026, with a closing Mass at St. Mary's Msongari Grounds in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, marking the end of a week of prayer, reflection, and deliberations by Catholic bishops from across the region.

During the Eucharistic celebration, the bishops issued a communiqué outlining the key resolutions of the plenary. Central among them was a commitment to make young people the Church's shared pastoral priority over the next four years. The bishops also called on political leaders across the AMECEA region to end the exploitation of young people and create an environment that fosters their dignity, participation, and development.

The closing Mass was presided over by Most Rev. Gervas Nyaisonga, Archbishop of Mbeya, Tanzania, who was elected Chairman of AMECEA during the plenary. By virtue of this office, Archbishop Nyaisonga also assumes the role of Chancellor of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).

The plenary also announced the appointment of Rev. Prof. Elias Opongo Omondi, SJ, as the Vice-Chancellor Designate of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Before his appointment, Fr. Opongo served as Director of the Hekima Institute of Peace Studies and International Relations (HIPSIR) at Hekima University and as the Regional Coordinator of the Africa Forum for Catholic Social Teaching.

Other appointments announced during the plenary

Secretary General, AMECEA: Very Rev. Fr. Andrew Kaufa, a priest of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Malawi.

Coordinator, Pastoral Department, AMECEA: Rev. Fr. Florence Rutaihwa, a priest from Tanzania.

Desk for the Promotion of Integral Human Development: Rev. Fr. Peter Zingari of South Sudan.

Head of AMECEA Social Communication: Rev. Fr. Winfred Kunda of the Diocese of Ndola, Zambia.

Coordinator, Gaba Campus (AMECEA Pastoral Institute): Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Chimombo, a priest of the Diocese of Zomba, Malawi.

Chairman, Gaba Initiative Turnaround Committee: Rt. Rev. Peter Kamomoe.

Chairman, AMECEA Board of Trustees: Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, Archbishop of Nairobi, Kenya.