THE PAIN & JOY; WHY I LEFT CHURCH OF UGANDA AFTER YEARS OF SERVICE, REV. CAN. ERIK OPENS UP ON NEW PATH AS REFORMED ANGLICAN CHURCH

From ordination and years of pastoral service to alleged non-deployment, health-related disputes and a new chapter in the Reformed Anglican Church — Rev. Cannon Sam Isaac Erick tells his side of the story.

LIRA CITY, UGANDA— For years, Ven. Rev. Erik Sam Isaac was known within the Anglican community in Lango as a calm and committed church leader who had dedicated much of his life to the Church of Uganda.

Today, his name is at the centre of renewed discussion following his decision to join the Reformed Anglican Church Uganda, a breakaway Anglican formation that has emerged amid disagreements within the wider Anglican establishment.

In an exclusive interview this week, Rev. Erick opened up about his journey, his years in the Church of Uganda, the challenges he says he experienced under diocesan leadership, and why he ultimately chose what he describes as a new path of healing, hope and continued Christian service.

The interview comes days after Rev. Erick was formally installed on September 6, 2026., as the Archdeacon of Lango under the Upper Nile Diocese of the Reformed Anglican Church. He also serves as the **Provincial Secretary of the Reformed Anglican Church Uganda.

‘I Was Raised in the Church of Uganda’

Reflecting on his journey, Rev. Erick said his relationship with the Church of Uganda began during his youth and continued into his adult life, eventually leading him into ordained ministry.

He said he served in different capacities within the Anglican establishment in Lango and remained committed to his calling despite difficulties that later emerged.

However, Rev. Erik alleges that at one point he spent. six years without deployment, something he says created frustration and uncertainty about his future in pastoral ministry.

According to him, the situation eventually developed into what he described as internal disagreements and struggles within the diocese.

> “I was left undeployed for over six years without a clear reason,” Rev. Erik said, explaining that the experience became increasingly difficult for him.

He maintains, however, that his decision to join the Reformed Anglican Church was not simply about leaving an institution, but about finding an environment where he could continue serving God.

Health Claims and Six Years  Away From Ministry

One of the issues Rev. Erick raised during the interview was his removal from active pastoral work on alleged medical grounds.

He claims that he was taken away from pastoral responsibilities because of concerns about his health, although he says he had not personally communicated such health concerns to diocesan authorities.

Rev. Erick says the decision left him out of active work for approximately six months.

During that period, he alleges that attempts to pursue alternative opportunities outside pastoral ministry were unsuccessful.

He cited opportunities he says arose in other parts of the country, including Kitgum and Kampala, but claims they were blocked by his superiors within the Diocese of Lango.

#‘The Reformed Anglican Church Became Part of My Healing’ 

For Rev. Erick, joining the Reformed Anglican Church represents more than an institutional change.

He describes it as part of a personal healing process following what he considers years of mistreatment, neglect and disappointment.

He says the new church has provided him with renewed confidence to continue pursuing his Christian calling.

“Joining the Reformed Anglican Church became part of my healing process. I found peace, love and hope to continue serving my purpose,” he said.

He further argues that the new movement offers an opportunity for Christians who feel disappointed, wounded or neglected to find a place where they can rebuild their faith and continue serving God.

Despite the challenges he says he encountered, Rev. Erick continued to develop himself academically.

He holds a Master’s degree in Theology and a Master’s degree in Educational Management, according to information provided during the interview.

He alleges that while he was away from pastoral duties, several Christian organisations approached him with opportunities to serve in other capacities.

He also claims that he faced obstacles when attempting to pursue further academic advancement, including an opportunity to seek support for PhD studies.

Rev. Erick says such experiences strengthened his determination to seek an environment where he could use his skills and education in the service of the church and wider community.

Before his departure, Rev. Erick had become a familiar figure within Anglican circles in Lango.

He married within the Anglican Church and served in various capacities across the Diocese of Lango.

Those who followed his ministry will also remember his preaching engagements at major church gatherings.

During the *2019 New Year crossover at St. AugustineCOU, for instance, Rev. Erick was among the main preachers, delivering a message centred on love, unity and the power of salvation.

His supporters describe him as a calm and spiritually focused leader whose ministry was characterised by a message of reconciliation and Christian fellowship.

Former Bishop Speaks

The debate surrounding Rev. Erick's departure has also attracted comments from former Bishop of Lango Diocese, Rt. Rev. John Charles Odur Kami.

In a recent appearance on a local YouTube programme, the former bishop reportedly spoke positively about his former colleague, saying Rev. Erick was close to him during his tenure and was capable of delivering his responsibilities.

However, the former bishop said he could not explain what later happened under the new leadership that eventually resulted in Rev. Erick's departure from the Diocese of Lango.

His remarks have added another dimension to a story that continues to generate discussion among Anglican Christians in Lango.

Today, Rev. Erick says he is not looking backward.

Following his installation as Archdeacon of Lango under the Reformed Anglican Church, he appears determined to build a new chapter of his ministry around the themes that have characterised his public message over the years — faith, love, unity, healing and service.

His story, however, also raises broader questions about leadership, deployment, clergy welfare, institutional disagreements and how churches handle internal conflicts.

For now, Rev. Erick says his priority is clear: to continue serving God and reaching people who, in his words, need “healing, hope and love.”