Kampala, Uganda - The government has been called upon to put in place stronger laws that will prevent fake religions to take root in Uganda and take advantage of Ugandans.
Pastor Solomon Male who leads a group fighting against fake churches says the government needs to put in place stringent rules to ensure fake religions and beliefs do not gain ground in Uganda.
He was speaking yesterday as Ugandans remember the anniversary of the 2000 Kanungu Massacre, where over 1000 Ugandans belonging to a sect calling itself the Restoration of the 10-commandments of God perished in a fire.
The leaders of the sect had told followers they are going to heaven. Apart from the people who were locked and burned in the church, several mass graves of the sect followers were found by police in different parts of the country.
Pastor Male says even though there is freedom of worship, there is need for regulations to government the foundation and operation of religions in Uganda to prevent selfish people from taking advantage of Ugandans.
He says many fake pastors have started churches and are ripping off Ugandans promising miracle blessings and healing which never comes.
Anyone in Uganda today can start a born again or Pentecostal church and operate independently as long as they register as a None Governmental Organization under the NGO Board. The government is working on modalities to ensure all Pentecostals belong to one body that has a secretariat that regulates their practice and conduct.
The leaders of the sect had told followers they are going to heaven. Apart from the people who were locked and burned in the church, several mass graves of the sect followers were found by police in different parts of the country.
Pastor Male says even though there is freedom of worship, there is need for regulations to government the foundation and operation of religions in Uganda to prevent selfish people from taking advantage of Ugandans.
He says many fake pastors have started churches and are ripping off Ugandans promising miracle blessings and healing which never comes.
Anyone in Uganda today can start a born again or Pentecostal church and operate independently as long as they register as a None Governmental Organization under the NGO Board. The government is working on modalities to ensure all Pentecostals belong to one body that has a secretariat that regulates their practice and conduct.