President Museveni Vows to End Registration of Churches as NGOs

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to resolve the issue of registering new or modern churches as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

“The issue of periodic registration of new churches as NGOs, we are going to resolve it. A church is a church, not an NGO,” he said.

President Museveni made the remarks on Sunday during the Universal Church Mega Youth Crusade, organised by Prophet David Isanga, the spiritual head of the Universal Apostles Fellowship Church of Righteousness in Kaliro. The Crusade ran under the theme: “Remember Your Creator In the Days of Your Youth Before the Days of Evil Come – Ecclesiastes 12:1.”

The President’s pledge followed Prophet Isanga’s request to have the registration requirement scrapped.

“For a long time, this Church has been registering as a Non-Governmental Organization, yet this is the only indigenous Church founded by typical Ugandans; it is unique in its calling, and I think the rest of the world is looking forward to seeing the Church of Righteousness expand to their countries,” Prophet Isanga said.

“We therefore request you, Your Excellency, that these taxes in the name of registering us as NGOs or companies limited by guarantee every five years be scrapped.”

On another note, President Museveni reiterated his call for the people of Busoga to embrace the 4-acre model of farming. He said that by following his advice, they could create wealth.

“When I was coming here, I was looking through the homesteads and saw that you need to do something about household incomes with ‘ekibaro’ in this area,” the President pointed out.

“After analysis, we recommend seven activities if you are working in a small area. We suggested having 1 acre of coffee, because the ‘ekibaro’ showed us that with 1 acre of coffee, you can earn Shs15m or more per year. Secondly, have an acre of fruits such as mangoes, oranges, or pineapples. Use acre 3 for pasture for zero-grazing cattle, and number 4, grow food crops like cassava. In the backyard, do poultry for eggs and piggery. Finally, do fish farming in ponds for those near the wetlands. Wetlands can be used in a good way, but you are currently using them in a bad way; you use them to destroy the environment, yet you gain so little from that,” he added.

President Museveni further noted that to modernise agriculture, the people of Busoga and Uganda at large should adopt irrigation, especially using water from the wetlands.

“I now want the Basoga to do the ‘ekibaro’. If we irrigate all the acreage on the dry land, how much more yield shall we get? We are not against you using the wetlands, but we want you to use them in a better way so that we can do more and get more money.”

The President also thanked the followers of Prophet Isanga for strictly practising the four dimensions of Jesus Christ.

“In the 1960s, one of the problems we had with religious teachings was focusing on only one dimension of Jesus Christ. They would teach the gospel, but from the Bible, I could see that God had four dimensions: First, preaching the gospel; second, healing the sick; third, feeding the hungry; and finally, He Himself worked in the carpentry of Joseph when He was a young person. To say that you are a Christian but you don’t work, I could not agree with that,” he emphasized.

“In my understanding, I was emphasizing the Parable of the Talents—that if you use your talents well, God will give you more. Therefore, I was very happy when I heard you speaking today. I could see that you have captured many of the elements we were discussing in the 1960s.”

President Museveni also reminded believers that when the NRM government came to power in 1986, a group of religious leaders approached him, requesting a ban on the Balokole Churches. However, he turned down the request, and his simple decision has since helped to create a new energy that has added value to the country.

“I had a good foundation from the Bible, so when these powerful people came telling me to ban the Balokole churches, I remembered when people told Jesus that some were pretending to cast out demons like He was doing. They asked if they could stop them. Jesus told them, ‘Don’t stop them; if they are not against us, they are with us.’ So, I didn’t see why I should fight people who say they are also working for God in their own way,” the President asserted.

“As you can see, there has been a lot of value addition. The old churches are there, but the new churches are also there. Anyone who wants can go anywhere they like. I’m very happy with that simple decision, as it helped to create new energy.”

Additionally, President Museveni contributed Shs100 million to the Church SACCO.

The Secretary General of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong, said Bishop David Isanga personally invited them to the Crusade to witness God’s decree over President Museveni’s leadership and the wonders for the people of Uganda.

“Indeed, we can confirm and attest to the fact that your generosity and leadership to the people of Uganda has seen Ugandans in their various capacities excel, including in the Church,” he said.

“We thank you. I have read through the doctrines of the Church, especially the Universal Apostles Fellowship Church of Righteousness. Your Excellency, they stand for four important things: One, they believe in righteousness as a spiritual prerequisite to inherit the kingdom of God; second, they teach their members that the family institution is for one man, one wife; third, they believe in the church court that helps in spiritual guidance; and above all, they teach their members hard work. You have always guided us, taught us that wherever we are as leaders, we should help common people live better lives, and I find that as one of the key pillars of this church.”

Rt. Hon. Todwong also informed the President that the followers of the Church pledged to work and support the NRM government and the President.

On his part, Apostle Isanga thanked President Museveni for honouring their invitation.

“For a long time, we have been waiting for this moment, and I have been urging the believers to support the NRM government and President Museveni. I thank God because when you promised to return after your first visit in 2013 to see what the Universal Church does, we have been patient until today, when you have honoured your promise,” he said.

“Our love for you and the government cannot be overemphasised because you brought peace that has enabled all Ugandans to work and prosper.”

Prophet Isanga also commended President Museveni for his good governance and for being an example to the whole world.

“It will also be remembered that during your leadership, our church started from Uganda and spread throughout the world.”

He also assured the President that his followers, especially the youth, are not among criminals or violent protestors and are strong supporters of the NRM government.

Furthermore, Prophet Isanga thanked the President for his strong stance against homosexuality, evidenced by passing the Anti-Homosexuality Law.

The Crusade was also attended by Ministers, Members of Parliament, and others.