Street preaching, or preaching openly in a public area, has been a method used throughout the history of Christianity for the purpose of evangelizing people who among others, would not typically enter a church.
Hundreds of street evangelists in Uganda met within the capital on Monday for the purpose of strengthening their effectiveness and equipping Spirit-filled individuals to reclaim the proper use of street preaching.
According to evangelist Drake Kanaabo who estimated the attendance figure at 300, the meeting was also aimed at “Vision casting for Uganda.”
Ever since the apostle Peter preached in the streets of Jerusalem in Acts 2, Christians have used this method to lead many to faith in Christ.
Evangelism in Uganda has encountered several challenges, and just a few years back, a section of Street crusaders asked government to come up with a policy that harmonizes preaching and interpretation of the Bible.
In 2017, Kampala Capital City Authority-KCCA issued a directive banning preaching the gospel on the streets. They argued that the directive was intended to restore trade, traffic order, control development and noise pollution in the city.
Despite the ban, preachers on the streets did not died out.
As UG Christian News reported, KCCA claimed that the actions of the preachers were violating the Maintenance of Law and Order Ordinance of 2006.
According to the ordinance, any person who makes or causes any excessive noise either by himself or herself or with any instrument or machine commits an offense and is liable to two months in jail or a fine of 400,000 shillings or both.
The ban was opposed by Churches, Christian organisations, and most notably by former minister for Ethics and Integrity Nsaba Buturo, who argued “that the plan to outlaw street preachers was an attack on Christianity in the country because the religion calls for spreading Christianity through preaching outside church.”
Charles Ssenogga, a preacher operating around Ben Kiwanuka Street and in the Old Rax Park told media the idea of banning them was fronted by “pagans under influence of the devil. “
Speaking to Uganda Radio Network (URN), Kampala Capital City Authority Spokesperson Peter Kauju said that the authority is still consulting with pastors from different born again Churches on how the matter can be solved.
