Ugandan Government to Start Verifying Pentecostal Miracles, Says Museveni

Summary:

• President Yoweri Museveni announced that the Ugandan government will begin verifying claims of religious miracles to ensure public safety and ethical standards. Speaking at Prophet Samuel Kakande’s church in Kampala, he emphasized that any healing claims must undergo medical verification, particularly when money is involved.

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The Ugandan government will begin verifying the claims of religious “miracles” to ensure public safety and uphold ethical standards, President Yoweri Museveni announced. Speaking at the commissioning of Prophet Samuel Kakande’s Temple Mount Church of All Nations in Mulago, Kampala, Museveni emphasized the importance of balancing religious freedom with public health and protection from exploitation.

Museveni outlined the government’s role as a “quality controller” in situations where religious leaders claim to heal or perform miracles. He cited an example of a man who claimed his mother was healed of cancer 43 years after doctors deemed it incurable, simply by believing in God. The President stated that while the government respects religious practices, any claims of healing must undergo verification through medical checks before they are validated as miracles.

“If someone claims a healing, we must first verify that they were truly sick. We will take medical tests to confirm the condition before any healing takes place, after which we will acknowledge the miracle,” Museveni explained. He added that the government will especially monitor cases where money is exchanged, such as the sale of “holy water” used for healing. “If it’s free water, there’s no issue. But if it’s sold, we will assess its safety and healing quality,” he said.

The President also expressed concerns about religious leaders who discourage people from seeking medical treatment. He referenced the case of the late Omukama Ruhanga Owobusobozi Bisaka, who allegedly advised a follower to avoid hospital treatment, leading to the person’s death. “Religious leaders must not interfere with people’s health choices. If someone dies after refusing medical care based on religious advice, there will be consequences,” Museveni warned.

While Museveni emphasized that the government does not seek to audit religious practices, he made it clear that no one is above the law, especially if their actions cause harm. He also defended the government’s commitment to freedom of worship, citing his personal efforts to protect the rights of Pentecostal groups during past disputes with traditional churches.

The President recalled that, unlike previous political divisions based on religion and ethnicity, the government ensures equal rights for all faiths. “It is not the government’s job to decide which religion is true or false. That is for God to judge,” he said.

In his address, Pastor Kakande praised Museveni for fostering peace and security, which he said had created an environment where people can freely worship. He also noted that the church attracts thousands of international visitors, highlighting Uganda’s role as a hub for religious tourism.

The Temple Mount Church of All Nations, which can accommodate 3,000 worshippers, was constructed in 2020 and also includes restaurants and a shopping center. Kakande credited the peace and freedom of worship in Uganda for enabling such growth.

Despite the challenges, he maintained that the church’s work continues to bring “salvation, healing, and God’s blessings” to its followers.