When about 1000 people were burnt to death in Kinkizi county in the south-western Ugandan district of Kanungu, on March 17, 2000, it was labeled the second-worst mass suicide on record, after Jonestown, USA.
On that fateful day, believers under the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God were burnt by self-styled prophet, Joseph Kibwetere and ex-Roman Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Dominic Kataribaho, Credonia Mwerinde and John Kamagara.
The sect was registered under the NGO Statute in 1997 to carry countrywide activities to observe the Ten Commandments, preach the word of Jesus Christ and provide education and health care.
Churches, temples and such can be wonderful places to learn teachings of your faith, for worship and prayer, and to meet and fellowship with others who share the beliefs of your faith.
However, with cult practitioners, controversial preachers in the country gaining more momentum and attracting countless flock, one if left to wonder if external stake holders should come into play and save the nation.
Joshua Lwere, the senior pastor of Grace Assembly Church, Kampala and consecrated Overseer of the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches (NFBPC) in Uganda says that it is impossible not just for religious leaders, but the government to stop this growing epidemic.
“Jesus himself warned about it. During his days, there were so many people who were in sheep clothing, but were ravening wolves.” Pr Lwere says.
Cult-like churches have belief systems that are off the path, on a tangent — rather than following the teachings of Christ.
They may express almost universality/inclusiveness, or conversely very narrow/exclusionary views. For this reason, is most likely that some Christians do not know how to recognize and avoid them.
“There are people that I believe personally are into cult, but I have no right to stop them because the constitution gives them power to exist. Even government cannot stop them unless what they do is criminal.” Pr Lwere adds.
The preacher says that Christians should take it upon them selves to Know how to recognize a cult, and stay away from it.
Mukisa Fred, founder and senior Pastor of Voice of Truth Ministries Mukono says that Christians will not be able to discern deception if they don’t know truth, which is only and only the word of God.
“Miracles don’t replace the word of God. Get it down to your soul, and know that false prophets are there. That means, you will be cautious, alert, and sensitive to only take truth.” He says. “You don’t believe anyone until you are certain that what they say is balanced in the overall word of God. But how will you get to know that if you don’t read the word yourself? That’s why you must take time daily and read the word of God yourself.”
male@ugchristiannews.com
