POPE Benedict XVI has appointed Monsignor Michael August Blume new Papal Nuncio to Uganda. Blume is yet to arrive in the country.

Blume an American replaces Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam, a South Korean, who left the country recently on transfer.

Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga made the announcement on Sunday.

Born on August 30, 1946 in South Bend, USA, Blume was Provincial Superior in Ghana from his ordination as priest of Society of the Divine Word on December 23, 1972. In August 24 2005 was appointed Titular Archbishop of Alexanum. He has also served as Apostolic Nuncio to Benin and Togo.

He was Secretary General in Rome from 1990 to 1992. Since 1995 worked for the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, serving as the Council's Undersecretary.

The past papal ambassadors to Uganda include Archbishops Amelio Poggi (May 27 1967 to November 27, 1969) before he was appointed Apostolic Delegate to other countries; Archbishop Luigi Bellotti (November 27, 1969 - September 2 1975) before being appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Uruguay); Henri Lemaître (Dec 19, 1975- 16 Nov 1981) before retiring); Karl-Josef Rauber appointed Dec 18, 1982- Jan22, 1990) before becoming President of Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy).

Others are Archbishop Luis Robles Díaz (Mar 13, 1990- Mar 6, 1999) before becoming Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba);

Christophe Pierre (May 10, 1999- Mar 22, 2007) before becoming Apostolic Nuncio to México) and Paul Tschang In-Nam (Aug 27 2007- 4 Aug 2012) before being appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand.