The Bible Society of Uganda (BSU), a Christian Non-Governmental Organization which serves churches and the general public by making the Holy Scriptures available in languages that people understand best has called upon Ugandans who eyewitnessed the burning of bibles at Makerere, Kikoni to come forward.
This statement was made by Mr Simon Peter Mukhama, the General Secretary and CEO of the Bible Society of Uganda during their 33rd Annual General Assembly at Partidar Samaj, located opposite Buganda Road Primary School on Friday.
“At this point in time, we call upon Ugandans who eyewitnessed this incident to come forward and provide that testimony so that we have clear proof of this act. It is not sufficient to use social media pictures as evidence. A person who burns the bible abuses the kind hearts of our contributors.” Mr Simon Peter Mukhama said.
He told national television NBS that this situation calls for legal action.
“All that we looking for is evidence. When you bring a picture; somebody asks you, “where is the picture from?” We really want people to give us videos. There are forums that are keenly looking at this and are asking; can we really get a video to see somebody burning the bible.” He said
Adding: “The bible, when it comes here to Uganda, it is highly subsidized. The person here only pays 20% of the price. The donor will have paid 80%. International donors are really unhappy about this, and it can turn around events – they can say we are no longer going to fund bibles in Uganda.”
Mr Simon Peter Mukhama emphasized should there be bibles with missing verses, The Bible society of Uganda should be contacted first so that they call them back.
Pastor Bugingo has been under heavy criticism for over a week now for reportedly ordering his congregation to burn bibles on Easter Monday over claims that certain versions have been “tampered with”.
He told believers that worshipers of the devil who want people to worship “ghosts” changed the word “Holy Spirit” to “Holy Ghost” and that certain scriptures were omitted.
He urged that words “Holy Spirit” and “Holy Ghost”do not mean the same thing.
On Sunday, Pr Bugingo said “Bible Society wanted to call me to explain some of these issues, but I told them it is not necessary, let them print back scriptures where they belong and write them the way they are meant to be.”
He predicted that “The Bible Society of Uganda might rise against me and say that what I’m saying is false.”
Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali also told press yesterday that he condemns burning of the Holy scriptures in the strongest terms.
“It is ignorance. And we do not understand why this individual Pastor has done this. We do not understand whether this person was in his senses.We pray for this pastor to repent and apologize to the entire church. Not just the church of Uganda.All the Christians are very upset and it has spread all over the world, and we condemn it.” The Archbishop noted.
