UNDERSTANDING PHANEROO (PART 1)
https://veracityfount.org
A Research Summary
PREAMBLE AND PURPOSE OF THIS SUMMARY
Modern evangelicalism should listen to both the Word and the world. The first is an ecclesial call, while the latter is a cultural one. Listening to the Word means developing internal tools for discernment necessary to “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). Listening to the world implies becoming salt and light (Mt. 5:13) in an often-collapsing culture. This research caters to the central Christian discipleship duty to heed apostolic doctrine (1 Tim. 4:16). But it also inadvertently serves a missional cause in a country like Uganda, where many people hold onto a nominal Christian Faith severed from its historical Christian creeds and teaching. Such nominalism has often hindered the effectiveness of the Great Commission (Mt. 28:16–20) and the Great Commandment (Mt. 22:34–39). This research sought to address two questions: what is Phaneroo, and what does it teach? We geared the first effort to determine the movement’s origins and the second to assessing and discerning their teaching considering historic Christian doctrine.
The Veracity Fount Research Team—commissioned by the Africa Centre for Apologetics Research (ACFAR)—interviewed past and present Phaneroo attendees and purchased video and audio recordings spanning the time Phaneroo has been recording its content. We have read devotionals and listened to online teachings intending to detect any changes in Phaneroo’s doctrinal persuasions over time—if any. No malice or personal bias drove or motivated the fact-finding in this Summary. Also, because summaries can only say so much, we invite you to study the full-length Report for a detailed account.
PHANEROO’S MAKINGS AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY
On September 16th, 2014 the Uganda Registration Services Bureau incorporated Phaneroo Ministries International Limited as a private company limited by shares. Its leadership involves Grace Lubega, who serves with Zac Mutyaba, Modestar Sweeney, Brian Mwesige, and Emma Muwanguzi (among others). The movement’s origin is traceable to Isaiah Mbuga, pastor at Christ Heart International Ministries (CHM) in Mukono. Mbuga had intended to revive Afro-Stone Fellowship in Africa Ladies Hall of residence at Makerere University (MUK). Grace Lubega, then a member of CHM, often escorted Mbuga to minister in their newfound ministry ground. Then Afro-Stone Fellowship numbers grew. According to a witness, around 2011–2012, students from other universities flocked MUK at their friends’ invitation to “witness” the power of God. Under Mbuga’s guidance, CHM replicated its ministry across university campuses, even outside Kampala. Thanks to their rapid student mobilization it was a swift growth. But as numbers increased, so did Lubega’s influence. At MUK, Lubega’s devotionals edited and summarized as “Shofar of Grace” were dutifully distributed wherever a student was spotted. These devotionals remain Phaneroo’s lifeblood.
PHANEROO’S ETHIC WITH CHAPLAINCIES AND CHURCHES
Phaneroo adherents came to be renowned for “fervent prayer sessions, intense worship, and greater depth in the word of God.” Africa Hall could no longer contain the group, and the nearby Livingstone Boys’ Hall eventually received them. But complaints about the noise their meetings generated moved them only a little further behind the Complex building at MUK. Such noise disruptive of learning spaces was characteristic of Phaneroo’s presence at
the
various university campuses. Their Wednesday fellowships at Kyambogo
University’s Student Center happened without the university’s approval
and used loud public address systems. Lecturers complained of disrupted
evening lectures, and since Phaneroo’s fellowships continued till very
late in the night, they became a security issue.
Next, those interviewed noted a defiant spirit as characteristic of the Phaneroo faithful. Phaneroo fellowship leaders were antagonistic to every university chaplaincy tasked with spiritual oversight over students. At MUBS, for example, followers claimed that they would only submit to Grace Lubega, and the chaplaincy is under them. Indeed, at every campus Phaneroo grew by infiltrating existing Christian Unions (CUs), taking over leadership, or pretending to be the CU.
Meanwhile, rumors of growing sexual immorality in various fellowships gained ground. At UCU and Kyambogo, male fellowship leaders (papas) invited their female co-leaders (mamas) to sleep at their residences. The same reports surface at MUBS and Kampala International University in Ishaka. One chaplain tells us that when confronted about their immoral lifestyle, the papas and mamas told him they were “mentoring” and “caring” for one another. CHM’s 2015 letter also cited “questionable doctrine, conduct, and morals” among the reasons for the rift between them and Phaneroo. Added reports of academic decline at UCU, MUBS, and Kyambogo persisted as Fellowship leaders assured Phaneroo adherents that their faith—not qualifications—is what God needs to give them jobs.
PHANEROO’S “SUBMISSION” DOCTRINE
Grace Lubega summons cultic loyalty and obedience from all Phaneroo members as his “spiritual children.” Failure to submit to him could lead to death, as he states in his Submission to Ordinances sermon at MUK. Many who submit to him fear to mention his name without title lest the blessing passes by them. Among those who have left, there is deep dread that he hears them “in the Spirit” when they speak about him or if they don’t address him by his title. Even after they separate from Phaneroo he continues to haunt them. Witnesses say Lubega summons submission in dreams, through which he even teaches ladies how to cook. Moreover, Lubega “imparts his spirit” to those he chooses through an initiation of sorts. Such initiations are often through watches Lubega gives to his leaders. Some who experienced this “initiation” report feeling strange power flowing through their bodies upon placing the watch on their arm. Over these, Lubega has such complete influence that even after leaving, they live in fear that the “apostle” may “steal their spirit”—an insider code- word for being killed. Ex-Phaneroo members who die become examples of what happens should you leave the movement or “the will of God.” Phaneroo holds itself to be the center of God’s will on earth.
The above is a summary. For a more complete treatment of Phaneroo, its origins and doctrine, please consult the full-length report by Veracity Fount.
1 John 2:19
(19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might *be made manifest* that they were not all of us.
