NTV Uganda on Monday uncovered its investigations into several well-known preachers.
“To the flock, these deceitful and manipulative pastors are anointed men of God.” NTV Uganda reporter said.
The 24 minute 30 seconds feature was, according to the station, “exposing men who use the hallowed platforms in church to steal from the poor under the guise of performing miracles.
It kicked off with cult leader, Joseph Kibwetere who masterminded the tragic inferno in which 1000 people died on 17 March 2000 in Kanungu, Rukungiri (now Kanungu) District.
The station then delineated Pastor Patrick Makumbi’s court cases of defilement and fraud, which, according to the preacher were blackmail schemes intended to tarnish his reputation.
“A new breed of preachers who use the message of fire and bream-stone to scheme from unsuspecting flock has emerged,” the station reported, and then quickly quoted Pastor Jackson Senyonga speaking during one Christian gathering; If you cannot do anything with Ush 10,000 yourself, how can you sow that so that God can give you a house.
Other preachers investigated included Pr Samuel Kakande and Miracle Centre Cathedral – Rubaga founding Pastor Robert Kayanja.
Given the spotlight, Pr Solomon Male, 54, was quick to pin Pr Samuel Kakande.
“My experience with them, Kakande and his wife, this is what I saw, faking up of miracles, paying people to pretend to be demon possessed, sick. The actual sick would come and go away unhealed. I saw and per-took of many tricks of extortion.”
This investigations report has raised a lot of dust however to some viewers, it sure must be addressed.
Soon after the feature was aired, Presiding Apostle Dr. Joseph Serwadda said, “I have watched a local TV presentation dubbed “Report on Balokole Pastors” and concluded that anyone who wishes to be fooled, or be taken for a ride, will be.”
This statement however left his audience wondering if he was defending the pastors investigated or warning the flock.
To critics, this report – although it sampled out a few – was an attack on the Pentecostal Church, as it generalized its findings.
Gospel music minister Brian Lubega took to social media saying, the word of God, not investigations about church will open eyes to what is false.
“Investigations about church will not open your eyes to what is false, the word of God will your eyes open what is true. Don’t study the word to find who is false,study it to be true.” He stated.
“You can’t convince me that all pastors in Uganda are fake. if that’s what you’re insinuating then its not true. Please show us fake Reverends, Catholic fathers, sheikhs and after bring genuine ones. Not pastors all the time.” One online reader told NTV.
In response, the station said “the question should then be “why is it always pastors?” It doesn’t necessarily exonerate the bad deeds of religious leaders from other denominations.”
“I understand some pastors are fake,” another reader said. “But NTV your analysis is biased…”
Former staff at Compassion International Uganda, Mr Constantine Obba says there are really people who are masquerading as men of God but are serving their interests.
“The bible warns that they will be there. But the scripture also teaches us how to tell false ones, by discerning spirits as well as watching their works/fruits. NTV has done good to investigate (examine the works). The limitation of this approach however is the examiner cannot be exclusive, may be biased and could therefore unfairly implicate the true men of God. But the Holy Spirit cannot deceive.”
In his advice, Mr Obba says you can’t tell a counterfeit unless you are armed with the original.
“My advise to every skeptic person to seek a meaningful personal relationship with Jesus Christ, be filled with the Holy Spirit and you are safe…If anyone is asking for where to find the right Pastor, it only testifies that NTV left the public in dilemma, which is very dangerous.” He said.
Police Spokes person Hassan Kasingye told the station that Pentecostal pastors should face prosecution if there is sufficient evidence that they fleece the flock.
“There is a law that governs any member of society or organisation getting money from members of the public. It must not be done in a fraudulent manner. Once you do it fraudulently [ in the guise of religion], you have committed an offence.” He said.
editor@ugchristiannews.com
