Pastors launch campaign against continuous church closure
Added 8th July 2020 03:15 PM
Keeping worship places closed is a sign that that the nation doesn't put trust in God
Bishop Dr. David Kiganda shaking hands with Apostle Ethan Magoba. Photos by Jaliat Namuwaya
Pastors under their umbrella body of the National pastors platform of Uganda have today launched a campaign dubbed ' I can't breathe prayer and lamentation campaign' were they are protesting the continued closure of the worship places in the country.
In this campaign pastors have also unanimously agreed to start wearing sackcloth saying it is a symbol of mourning and repentance according to the Bible.
Speaking during the launch in Kampala the president of the pastors platform Bishop Dr. David Kiganda expressed dismay over the continued closure of the worship places even as the markets, and business places like kikuubo are freely operating.
Kiganda argued that keeping worship places closed is a sign that that the nation doesn't put trust in God yet it has been God from day one who has protected Uganda from registering any Corona deaths.
Pastors are counting 4 months down the road ever since the churches and the rest of the other worship places were closed in the fight against COVID-19 spread.
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Pastor Wilson Bugembe asks Museveni to consider reopening churches (VIDEO)
Bugembe adds his voice to calls for reopening of places of worship in Uganda after four months lockdown
Jonah Kirabo June 22, 2020
Light the World Ministries senior pastor Wilson Bugembe has appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to consider reopening churches and places of worship.
Pastor Bugembe added that religious leaders are ready to observe all guidelines put in place by government and the Ministry of Health in order to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.
Pastor Bugembe made these remarks while delivering his live televised service on Sunday from his Nansana residence.
He said, “I want to ask Mr. President Museveni, if you’re watching me, please consider reopening churches. We shall be able to manage ourselves.”
Pastor Bugembe added that at Light the World Ministries for example, they have the capacity to hold services for the whole day from morning until 10pm in smaller shifts so as to keep social distancing.
Bugembe, however, said that if the situation is still risky in the President and health experts view, then, churches should remain closed.
Pastor Wilson Bugembe appeals to President Kaguta Museveni to consider reopening churches. He adds that they will be…
Posted by NBS Television on Monday, June 22, 2020
The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje in his address during the ‘scientific’ Eid-el-fitr celebrations said that prayers are also essential and places of worship should be opened up for people to pray for their country.
Several pastors, including the leader of the Born Again faith in Uganda, Pastor Joseph Sserwadda have also made such remarks on their media platforms increasing the pressure on government to consider opening up places of worship.
Churches were among the first places and activities to be closed in March as the country prepared itself to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to senior presidential press secretary Don Wanyama, President Museveni will deliver another address on Monday evening, 8pm to update the country on the current situation of the pandemic in the country and religious leaders and faithfuls will be waiting to know if they would be allowed to gather after over three months in lockdown.President @KagutaMuseveni will address the country today, Monday, at 8pm, giving an update on the country's fight against COVID-19 and related issues. Catch address on TVs and radio. @KennethOmona @UCC_Official @ubctvuganda @nbstv @ntvuganda @Smart24TvUganda @newvisionwire— Don Wanyama (@nyamadon) June 22, 2020
Pastor takes action against church closures
Congregational worship amid pandemic: Pastors may challenge shutdown order.
By Our Reporter
A pastor in Uganda has announced intentions of filing a petition to challenge enforcement of President Museveni’s order to keep churches closed, even while he permitted certain bussiness establishments to reopen.
On Wednesday, Pastor Francis H Kwezi took to social media seeking legal advice pertaining to the directive that has now turned into a religious liberty issue.
“We are putting up a draft to present to the President and Parliament on reopening Yahweh’s sanctuaries,” he wrote on Facebook. “We are looking for lawyers familiar with constitution law to advise us how place our petition.”
Soon, he told fellow pastors, “we shall be requesting your signatures, physically and scientifically (electronically).”
Pastor Kwezi said 476 pastors are so far on board.
Under current public health guidelines, Churches all across Uganda are not allowed to hold in-person Church services, and the timeline for the stayed measure is unknown.
Some church leaders aren’t happy about that, saying their constitutional right to religious freedom has been infringed, given that certain businesses are allowed to operate.
On his part, Kampala-based Pastor Cyrus Mwase of Zion Saints Ministries International, on 24 June, 2020, said the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), should draft a health guideline series and appeal to the President.
A true believer in Christ cannot support church closure up to now, he said.
“Church is not all about preaching and teaching the word as that can be done online. It’s not about praying as everyone can pray in their homes since God is everywhere. It’s more of obeying God’s directive to assemble as commanded (not advised but directed, it’s a God directive) in Hebrews 10:25,” he said. “The church can choose to run 4 very brief services to feed it’s 100 member congregation.”
Pastor Cyrus Mwase believes government has to apply the prevailing Covid-19 restrictions “equally” to all places “to show we’re not just against the church.”
The church, he contends, is being treated not on an even ground as bussiness or shopping establishments where you can have scores of people.
“This is why I will never demand churches to open as long as all other similar places are closed. If church buildings aren’t safe are taxis, buses, shopping malls, ‘kikuubo’, even Mulago hospital Kawempe , etc safe?,” he wondered.
President Museveni on Monday stated that Church closure had everything to do with protecting the health and safety of Ugandans. He pointed out, among others, the outbreak cannot be traced within a church setting.
