Leaders raise red flag on fake pastors, call for action

Local leaders in Kisoro Municipality have raised a red flag on foreign-owned churches, which pose a security threat to communities.

The founders are accused of forming sects to fleece unsuspecting followers, while hiding behind the Holy Book. The fake prophets are also accused of extorting money from unsuspecting followers in exchange of miracles, under the watch of authorities.

They are now appealing to relevant authorities, especially the office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), to crack whip on what they termed as ‘an illegality.’

Daudi line, the LC1 Chairperson of Karumena Cell, Central Division in Kisoro Municipality appeals to the RDC’s office to regulate the mushrooming sects that pose a security threat to the communities.

According Mr Daudi, most newly established churches, if unregulated, remain susceptible to criminal activities.

He adds that the so-called preachers are after people’s valuables, not spirituality.

“It has become an attractive trade of sorts that anyone who can explain two Bible verses to his own benefit starts a church. These people are after money and other properties. Most foreigners find Uganda, especially Kisoro ripe for these dubious activities. I appeal to the RDC to coordinate with other agencies to regulate this illegality,” said Mr Daudi.

According to Daudi, some churches operate from suspicious places such as bedrooms and mountain tops, with a handful of believers squeezing themselves to attend prayer sessions day and night.

This narration is corroborated by Nturo John, the LC2 Chairperson of Nyamagana Ward, in Central Division, who wonders why foreigners with no travel documents have established Churches on Ugandan territory.

He says most of them are Rwandans and Congolese, who have exploited the complacency of the Ugandan security apparatus to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the community.

According to Nturo, such worshipers engage in dubious activities to the extent that used condoms have been found from their prayer synagogues.

“It’s a big problem. These people regularly converge in Nyabitare and Nyaruyaga hills, but there are no latrines. We have even found used condoms there. We wonder what type of activities they do in the name of worshipping,” said Nturo.

He adds, “They can even spend the whole night there, and you find used condoms in the morning. This also risks diseases related to poor sanitation and hygiene, like cholera, dysentery, typhoid and others.”

On his part, Kwizera Pius, the Chairperson of Nyamirima Cell contends that criminals have found a safe haven in the churches, calling for a quick solution.

“We don’t know these people. They live and establish prayer houses in our villages without our knowledge. Some of these are engaged in fighting, fornication, robbery and other crimes. They hide behind the church,”

“I insist it is a security problem. Some of these people go to these synagogues as couples, but you find there used condoms and knickers. That poses a security question!” says Kwizera.

Former Ethics Minister weighs in

Meanwhile, the Bufumbira East Member of Parliament, Hon Dr James Nsaba Buturo, warns people against suspicious individuals and organisations, who are only after fleecing their property. He says such dubious preachers promise many things, but demand valuables before and after prayers.

“There’s now a situation where some individuals are fleecing money and other resources from people, promising healing, miracles and all kinds of things, in exchange for money! We feel that people should be vigilant and report those organisations or individuals claiming that they have churches they have started.”

According to Buturo, religious leaders should follow the rightful procedures to establish churches, by acquiring operation licences.

“If somebody says they have started a new church, they should be able to show documents that they are supported by government’s approval. The truth is that they are just making money, and this is unacceptable.

Buturo, a former Minister of Ethics and Integrity, appeals to communities to report such dishonest individuals to Police and the RDC’s office to ensure that they are punished and dismissed from the community.

“We want to appeal to people, don’t just follow people without – first of all – establishing that these are genuine organisations. And where you have your suspicions, please report to the police or the Resident District Commissioner.” Advises Buturo.

When asked, the Kisoro RDC Hajji Badru Sebyala seemed to have no resolution, but simply urged the public to report such churches for action.

“The NRM government brought freedom of worship, but some dishonest people exploit this freedom to extort Ugandans. They call themselves messengers from God, and start intimidating people. Please report them.”

Hajj Sebyala admits that some foreigners from Rwanda and DRC have infiltrated local communities to hoodwink villagers into false beliefs, which he calls a timing bomb.

Uganda has no official state religion, and the constitution promotes freedom of religion by stating that every person has the right to practice and manifest any religion, which includes participation in any religious organization. It also states that no person may be discriminated against on the grounds of religion.

The Ugandan government has a good record of respecting religious freedom, and also in the last few years, there have been some religious groups that have made efforts to advocate for widespread religious tolerance.

However, some born-again self-styled pastors have been accused of misleading followers, with the sole aim of material things.