Gov’t finally accept to engage pastors in formulation of policy to guide religious activities 

The minister of Ethics and Integrity, Fr. Simon Lokodo has bowed to pressure and called on religious organisations to participate in the formulation of the National Policy on Religious and Faith-Based Organisations (R&FBOs) in Uganda.

In 2016 government embarked on formulating the policy to guide the religious leaders following public outcries as some pastors fleeced their followers of money as well as engaging in acts seen to be against the Christian faith.

The policy was in the advanced stages of formulation and cabinet was ready to discuss it to pave the way for the enactment of the law, when pastors came out to denounce it due to lack of their input.

One of the proposals in the policy is that religious leaders must acquire formal theological training from a recognized institution before establishing a church.

The policy has been  however criticized by various pastors alleging that it came from a malicious source and thoughts intended to crash the Church.

In a prayer conference organised by the pastors last month, led by the founder and Senior Pastor of Rubaga Miracle Centre, Robert Kayanja, the Pentecostal preachers reechoed their voice, calling for their participation in the drafting of the policy. President Yoweri Museveni also attended a meeting organised by the pastors where he promised to address their concerns on the policy.

Speaking in Kampala earlier today, Father Lokodo said a highly consultative and analytical approach was adapted in the development of this policy. “Countrywide and regional consultative meetings involving key stakeholders who practice faith and religion in this country were conducted.”

Key stakeholder groups such as the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, Born Again Faith, National Fellowship of Born Again & Pentecostal churches, Evangelical fellowship of Uganda, Miracle Centre churches, Full Gospel Churches of Uganda; Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Muslim faith, Seventh Day Adventist, Orthodox church and other independent faith groups.

“Whereas Article 29(1) (c) of the Constitution gives Ugandans freedom to practice any religion which includes right to belong &participate in the practice of any religious body or organization, government has never put in place a regulatory framework,” he said.

“As a result, members of the public are facing a lot of challenges from some faith/religious organisations. These challenges include; manipulation, exploitation of followers, loss of property, promotion of witchcraft instability in society,” he said.

He said the state has no mechanism of vetting, monitoring and identifying the unethical faith practitioners in order to protect citizens from the harmful effects of these unethical religious practices.