KAMPALA – A few days ago, Father Simon Lokodo, the State Minister of Ethics and Integrity in the Office of the President of Uganda, uncovered a new State policy in the making that will require all religious institution in the country to register under one institution to be distinct from other non-government organisation.
In the same policy, Lokodo said the country will have formal procedure for anybody who wants to start a Church, amongst which is theological training.
Lokodo said some religious leaders in the country are taking advantage of “loopholes” in the existing laws to manipulate Ugandans and extort money from them.
Although he noted that the policy seeks to “bring sanity in religious institutions and does not seek to target any particular religion or church, or curtailing the freedom of worship incorporated in the constitution” Lokodo’s statement did not help but highlight his concern particularly with Born-again Churches.
Zoe Fellowship Ministries team leader, Prophet Elvis Mbonye has come out and expressed concern over the content of this new policy.
Speaking to congregants during a weekly fellowship in Kampala on December 11, Prophet Elvis Mbonye questioned state allegations of exploitation, and dismissed the same as “rubbish.”
“Mr President, come here, ask from conner to conner, and see who has been exploited,” Mbonye said.
“If the state has plans to subject every belief to the Anglican and Catholic setting, whether we listen to you or to God, you’ll be the judge.” he added.
Prophet Mbonye wondered if there is a state religion in the making and how officials determine who is a false prophet, and who is not.
“There is something that is building up, and when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God shall raise a standard against him,” Prophet Elvis Mbonye said.”The spirit of God, what He started to do, He shall do no-matter what man stands in the gap.”
Last week, popular television evangelist Apostle Alex Mitala told the New Vision the new policy is being rushed and that the idea of having a certificate in theology needs time.
“There is no problem with accounting for the resources in a Church, but the problem is with the certificate of theology,” he was quoted as saying.
Mitala who is an elder at the National Fellowship of Born-again Pentecostal Churches in Uganda expressed concern that the new policy “appears to be targeting the Born-again Pentecostal churches.”
Pastor Cyrus Rod, the lead Pastor of Dominion Faith Church in Kisaasi, Kampala speaking to press, welcomed the regulations, but disagreed with the proposal that clerics should be required to have at least a certificate in theology.
He explained that there are “unscrupulous religious leaders” with degrees and masters in theology “who are robbing people.”
