Lira, Uganda – Pastor Johnson Ogema of Victory Outreach Church Ministry in Lira City has praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s recent call to monitor and regulate religious healing practices.
The President made the remarks yesterday December 15, 2024 during the inauguration of Pastor Samuel Kakande’s Temple Mount Church of All Nations in Kampala, a modern mega-church that boasts a capacity of 30,000 worshippers and luxury accommodations for international visitors.
While President Museveni briefly acknowledged Pastor Kakande’s healing ministry, stating, “We’re going to take interest in your healing,” his comments have sparked widespread reactions from religious leaders, including Pastor Ogema.
Speaking today 16th December 22024 on Radio Wa 89.8 FM, Ogema, who also chairs the Pastors & Elders Fellowship in Lira, welcomed the President’s intervention, emphasizing the urgent need to curb the influence of false prophets in Uganda.
He accused some self-proclaimed religious leaders of using platforms like radio to mislead believers with deceptive teachings.
“Some radio stations in Lira are being used by false prophets to spread meaningless and misleading prophecies, especially during late-night hours. This is not only disturbing but dangerous to the faith of our people,” Ogema said.
He urged media houses to be more responsible in vetting their content.
Ogema revealed that the Pastors & Elders Fellowship has identified several churches linked to false prophets and submitted evidence to local security agencies, including DISOs and GISOs.
However, he lamented that some officials have been compromised by bribes or personal affiliations with these churches.
“It is frustrating that while laws are quickly enforced on crimes like murder, there is little to no action against false prophets who exploit and mislead people. This double standard is painful and shameful,” Ogema remarked.
The pastor applauded past efforts by local leaders, specifically former Ojwina Division LC III Chairperson Emmanuel Obong Opeto, who introduced a policy requiring new churches to obtain recommendations from the Pastors & Elders Fellowship before opening.
Ogema called for the nationwide adoption of similar policies to control the rise of dubious religious organizations.
While recognizing Uganda’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of worship, Ogema stressed that this freedom should not shield individuals who exploit it to harm communities.
“Freedom of worship must go hand in hand with accountability. We must protect the public from spiritual deception,” he said.
The Temple Mount Church of All Nations, which has become a magnet for worshippers from across Africa, symbolizes the growing influence of religious institutions in Uganda.
As calls for regulation grow louder, Pastor Ogema’s remarks echo the sentiments of many Ugandans who are demanding a balance between religious freedom and ethical accountability.
With President Museveni’s backing, the debate on regulating faith-based practices is expected to gain momentum, putting both policymakers and religious leaders at the center of this critical discussion.