23 February 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Integrity USA and Integrity Uganda Joint Statement on Integrity Uganda Leadership and the Rev. Erich Kasirye

Leaders of Integrity USA and Integrity Uganda have been in joint consultation for several weeks concerning troubling accounts of the activities of one of the members of the leadership team of Integrity Uganda, the Rev. Erich Kasirye. Fr. Kasirye was among the founders of Integrity Uganda in 2000 and has served frequently as its chief spokesperson.

It is now, sadly, clear to us that Fr. Kasirye has been involved in a number of scams in order to raise money for himself personally using his connection with Integrity Uganda. In particular, in January 2004 he solicited funds from a number of organizations and individuals claiming to have been imprisoned because of his connection to Integrity Uganda, a claim which has turned out not to have been true. At the same time he has, in Uganda, publicly renounced his connection with Integrity to church officials and turned over to them the Kitemu Community Center, which has been the base of Integrity ministry in Uganda. Kitemu Center was built largely with funds raised by Integrity USA.

We do believe that Integrity Uganda remains a vital and legitimate expression of an alternative voice for the Church of Uganda and a haven for lesbian and gay Anglicans in Uganda. The Rt. Rev. Christopher Ssenyonjo, retired Bishop of West Buganda, and Mr. Denis Iraguha, who has been serving as the President of Integrity Uganda, remain in leadership and have continued the ministry at a site in Kampala. We also believe that Fr. Kasirye's efforts in founding and building Integrity Uganda were honorable, and we are saddened beyond comprehension that he has broken trust with so many people.

It is important, however, for the many networks we have built around the world in support of this ministry, that we make clear that the Rev. Erich Kasirye no longer has any legitimate connection to Integrity Uganda, nor does his wife, Patricia Kasirye, or Colonel Josephine Luboyera, in both of whose names Fr. Kasirye has frequently solicited aid. In addition, the e-mail address <integrityuganda@yahoo.com> is no longer available as a link to the leadership of Integrity Uganda. Our new e-mail address is integrityugcommitte@yahoo.com.

We extend our apologies to all those from whom funds have been solicited for illegitimate purposes in our names and ask your prayers as we seek to re-build the trust that is so vital for our witness. We are building new structures of accountability among us that we hope more adequately protect this trust.

Integrity Uganda
The Rt. Rev. D. Christopher Ssenyonjo, Chairman
Mr. Denis Iraguha, President

Integrity USA
The Rev. Susan Russell, President
The Rev. Michael Hopkins, Global Mission