President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has told Born Again Christians
(Balokole) that the only way to do miracles and be good examples in
society is to get involved in the four dimensions of Jesus Christ which
include; preaching the gospel, healing the sick, feeding the hungry and
work for prosperity.
“I’m happy to see that you seem to be correcting the past mistakes
and finally walking in the footsteps of Jesus whose mission had four
dimensions; to preach the gospel, heal the sick, feed the hungry and
work in the carpentry. So, it’s good that you the Balokole with your
discipline, if you get involved in the four dimensions of Jesus, you can
do miracles,” President Museveni said, adding that in the Bible, it’s
written; “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good deeds, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
The President who was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of
Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, was on Tuesday, 26th
September 2023, the Chief Guest at the consecration Ceremony of Bishop
Moses Odongo as the General overseer of National Fellowship of Born
Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda at Kololo Independence Grounds.
“I congratulate Bishop Odongo upon his consecration. I also
congratulate Bishop Joshua Lwere for his dedicated service in the last
10 years,” H.E Museveni noted, adding that in 1986 when the NRM had just
come into government he stood his ground after some people proposed to
him to ban the Balokole movement for claiming to be performing miracles
that never existed.
The President noted that between 1962 and 1966, when he was a very
active mulokole and the president of the Scripture Union he read
somewhere in the Bible that Jesus did not stop some groups of people who
were reported to him for performing miracles like him.
“But Jesus also said if they are not against us, they are for us. I
told them, if they (Pentecostals) are telling lies, God will deal with
them. I’m surprised that a small decision enabled this huge group of
people to come up,” H.E Museveni said.
The President also appreciated the day’s preacher from Ghana, Rev.
Dr. Robert Ampiah-Kwofi who hailed the unity in Uganda. He said the
dream of the NRM government is to ensure the prosperity of all people
through working for both the stomach and for money.
“We told you a long time ago. Stop working only for the stomach but
also for money. That’s the dream of the NRM government that we should
all share,” The President said.
He welcomed what he termed as descendants from the diaspora back to
Africa saying that everything needed to develop like other continents is
in Africa.
“In Africa we have everything. India has 1.4 billion people but
Africa is 12 times the size of India. Africa is four times bigger than
the USA. So, I’m glad that our people are linking up with you and we are
going to do miracles together,” The President said.
The former General Overseer of the National Fellowship of Born Again
Pentecostal Churches of Uganda, Bishop Joshua Lwere thanked President
Museveni for standing with the born-again Christians since the NRM
government came into power.
He said the different groups of born-again Christians in Uganda that
include; the Association of Miracle Center Churches led by Pastor Robert
Kayanja, the Born-Again faith led by Apostle Joseph Sserwadda, the
Evangelical Fellowship of Uganda led by Bishop Simon Peter Emiau and the
National Fellowship of Born-Again Churches of Uganda which he has been
leading, are all working together in evangelization.
“We are not that Balokole group that you had problems with in the
1960s. We are good people. They used to call us “abebiwempe” because we
used to pray under papyrus-made structures but now, we have some of the
best cathedrals in this country. We have been able to transform
communities and youths into responsible citizens,” Bishop Lwere said.
Bishop Lwere however requested President Museveni to consider giving
the Born-Again Christians land to establish a church like it was done to
their colleagues in the Catholic, Anglican and Muslim faiths during the
past governments.
“This is not something that is out of place, but we ask for and
consider this as affirmative action so that we also have a home of our
own. We pray to Your Excellency that before you leave that seat, you
think about us the Balokole,” Bishop Lwere added.
In response, the President promised to find the land.
“I will support you like we handled the issue of registration. Even
the problem of land will be solved. But the hills are already taken by
other groups. But there’s no problem, we shall support you,” H.E
Museveni confirmed.
Bishop Lwere paid tribute to his predecessors including Apostle Alex
Mitala and Prof Simeon Kayiwa who served during what he called difficult
times and also thanked the incoming Bishop Odongo and his wife for
serving under him for the last 13 years.
The consecration activity was led by Elders led by Bishop Tom Okello
from the Lango sub-region who thanked President Museveni for the
different government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM)
that will ensure that Ugandans don’t remain in poverty. Bishop Okello
reminded the President about his pledge of tractors to the National
Fellowship of born-again faiths.
Bishop Simon Peter Emiau of the Evangelical Fellowship of Uganda
thanked President Museveni for always standing by the truth and setting a
very good example of the family institution when he celebrated 50 years
of marriage with Maama Janet.
“May God give you a long life to make this nation stronger,” Bishop Emiau said.
Apostle Pauline and her delegation from the United States of America
said they were thrilled to come to Uganda after watching President
Museveni on YouTube while preaching with boldness.
“Your Excellency we prefer to call you Rev. Museveni,” Pastor Pauline said.
In his remarks, Bishop Odongo noted that his leadership started upon
hearing the voice of God on 8th June 2019 and thanked the Born-Again
faiths for bringing him into leadership when he was elected on 16th
March 2023 as the General Overseer.
Bishop Odongo becomes the first Etesot to hold that position since
the formation of the National Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal
churches in 1990. He replaces Bishop Joshua Lwere who has served for the
last 10 years.
He thanked his predecessor Bishop Joshua Lwere whom he has served for
the last 13 years and promised to continue to serve and fulfill God’s
purposes.
Bishop Odongo also thanked President Museveni for granting the
Balokole movement freedom of worship, currently constituting over 8
million believers in Uganda.
He further promised to ensure service-oriented leadership that
involves preaching the gospel of going to heaven and also that gospel
that carries messages of transformation through emphasizing agriculture
and fighting poverty.
“It will also be my work to make sure to empower the church to be
able to impact and transform their communities. I encourage you the
church to embrace agriculture and wealth creation and I’m praying that
God opens the doors for us,” Bishop Odongo said.
Bishop Odongo is now responsible for overseeing all
Pentecostal/Born-Again churches in Uganda and the National Fellowship of
Born Again- Pentecostal Churches is structured in 15 regions and with
57 provinces across the country.
Bishop Odongo will be deputized by Dr. John Kabuye Kaggwa, Dr. Magezi
Africano as the Gen. secretary and the National Treasurer as Pastor
Olive Janet Gidudu.
At the same function, President Museveni gifted Bishop Odongo with a
brand-new vehicle to help him in evangelization. He also promised to
provide cars for all the Bishops of the National Fellowship of Born
Again and Pentecostal Churches.
“I will give you the cars, no problem,” he said.
The National Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal Churches is an
umbrella network of Pentecostal churches, para-church organizations and
missionary organizations operating in Uganda. It is registered with the
Government of Uganda, as a non-denominational and politically
non-partisan.
The fellowship exists primarily as a voice for its membership and to
support and nurture the effective growth and development of the
Pentecostal movement through networking, capacity building and enabling
strategic partnerships.
The ceremony was attended by several Born Again leaders who include,
including Prof. Simeon Kayiwa, Apostle Michael Kimuli, Pastor Robert and
Mrs. Jessica Kayanja, Apostle Grace Lubega, Bishop Tom Mugerwa, Apostle
John Bunjo, Apostle Umar Mulinde and Dr. Sserwadda who represented the
Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Rev. Steven Kaziimba Mugalu and all
the other seven members of the council of presidents of the Inter
Religious Council of Uganda.
Others were Born Again representatives from all the regions of Uganda
and outside countries such as the United States, Nigeria, Ghana, South
Africa and the United Kingdom.
Other dignitaries included; Ministers, members of Parliament, Hon.
Justice Mike Chibita who administered the oath of allegiance, Army
officials and Traditional leaders.
“You will do miracles if you walk in the footsteps of Jesus,” President Museveni tells Born Again Christians
https://www.watchdoguganda.com/news/20230926/160165/you-will-do-miracles-if-you-walk-in-the-footsteps-of-jesus-president-museveni-tells-born-again-christians.html
Watchdog news
26 September, 2023
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has told Born Again Christians
(Balokole) that the only way to do miracles and be good examples in
society is to get involved in the four dimensions of Jesus Christ which
include; to preach the gospel, heal the sick, feed the hungry and work
for prosperity.
“I’m happy to see that you seem to be
correcting the past mistakes and finally walking in the footsteps of
Jesus whose mission had four dimensions; to preach the gospel, heal the
sick, feed the hungry and himself worked in the carpentry. So, it’s good
that you the Balokole with your discipline, if you get involved in the
four dimensions of Jesus, you can do miracles,” President Museveni said,
adding that in the Bible, its written; “Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good deeds, and glorify your Father who is
in heaven.”
The President who was accompanied by
the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet
Museveni, was on Tuesday, 26th September, 2023, the Chief Guest at the
consecration Ceremony of Bishop Moses Odongo as the General overseer of
National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda at
Kololo Independence Grounds.
“I congratulate Bishop Odongo upon
his consecration. I also congratulate Bishop Joshua Lwere for his
dedicated service in the last 10 years,” H.E Museveni noted, adding that
in 1986 when the NRM had just come into government he stood his ground
after some people proposed to him to ban the Balokole movement for
claiming to be performing miracles that never existed.
The President noted that between 1962
and 1966, when he was a very active mulokole and the president of the
Scripture Union he read somewhere in the Bible that Jesus did not stop
some groups of people who were reported to him for performing miracles
like him.
“But Jesus also said if they are not
against us, they are for us. I told them, if they (Pentecostals) are
telling lies, God will deal with them. I’m surprised that a small
decision enabled this huge group of people to come up,” H.E Museveni
said.
The President also appreciated the
day’s preacher from Ghana, Rev. Dr. Robert Ampiah-Kwofi who hailed the
unity in Uganda. He said the dream of the NRM government is to ensure
prosperity of all people through working for both the stomach and for
money.
“We told you a long time ago. Stop
working only for the stomach but also for money. That’s the dream of the
NRM government that we should all share,” The President said.
He welcomed what he termed as
descendants from the diaspora back to Africa saying that everything
needed to develop like other continents is in Africa.
“In Africa we have everything. India
has 1.4 billion people but Africa is 12 times the size of India. Africa
is four times bigger than the USA. So, I’m glad that our people are
linking up with you and we are going to do miracles together,” The
President said.
The former General Overseer of the
National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda, Bishop
Joshua Lwere thanked President Museveni for standing with the
born-again Christians since the NRM government came into power.
He said the different groups of
born-again Christians in Uganda that include; the Association of Miracle
Center Churches led by Pastor Robert Kayanja, the Born-Again faith led
by Apostle Joseph Sserwadda, the Evangelical Fellowship of Uganda led by
Bishop Simon Peter Emiau and the National Fellowship of Born-Again
Churches of Uganda which he has been leading, are all working together
in evangelization.
“We are not that Balokole group that
you had problems with in the 1960s. We are good people. They used to
call us “abebiwempe” because we used to pray under papyrus made
structures but now, we have some of the best cathedrals in this country.
We have been able to transform communities and youths into responsible
citizens,” Bishop Lwere said.
Bishop Lwere however requested
President Museveni to consider giving the Born-Again Christians land to
establish a church like it was done to their colleagues in the Catholic,
Anglican and Muslims faiths during the past governments.
“This is not something that is out of
place, but we ask for and consider this as affirmative action so that
we also have a home of our own. We pray to Your Excellency that before
you leave that seat, you think about us the Balokole,” Bishop Lwere
added.
In response, the President promised to find them land.
“I will support you like we handled
the issue of registration. Even the problem of land will be solved. But
the hills are already taken by other groups. But there’s no problem, we
shall support you,” H.E Museveni confirmed.
Bishop Lwere paid tribute to his
predecessors who include Apostle Alex Mitala and Prof Simeon Kayiwa who
served during what he called difficult times and also thanked the
incoming Bishop Odongo and his wife for serving under him for the last
13 years.
The consecration activity was led by
Elders led by Bishop Tom Okello from Lango sub region who thanked
President Museveni for the different government programs like the Parish
Development Model (PDM) that will ensure that Ugandans don’t remain in
poverty. Bishop Okello reminded the President about his pledge of
tractors to the National Fellowship of born-again faiths.
Bishop Simon Peter Emiau of the
Evangelical Fellowship of Uganda thanked President Museveni for always
standing by the truth and setting a very good example of the family
institution when he celebrated 50 years of marriage with Maama Janet.
“May God give you a long life to make this nation stronger,” Bishop Emiau said.
Apostle Pauline and her delegation
from the United States of America said they were thrilled to come to
Uganda after watching President Museveni on YouTube while preaching with
boldness.
“Your Excellency we prefer to call you Rev. Museveni,” Pastor Pauline said.
In his remarks, Bishop Odongo noted
that his leadership started upon hearing the voice of God on 8th June
2019 and thanked the Born-Again faiths for bringing him into leadership
when he was elected on 16th March, 2023 as the General Overseer.
Bishop Odongo becomes the first
Etesot to hold that position since the formation of the National
Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal churches in 1990. He replaces
Bishop Joshua Lwere who has served for the last 10 years.
He thanked his predecessor Bishop
Joshua Lwere whom he has served for the last 13 years and promised to
continue to serve and fulfill God’s purposes.
Bishop Odongo also thanked President
Museveni for granting the Balokole movement freedom of worship,
currently constituting over 8 million believers in Uganda.
He further promised to ensure
service-oriented leadership that involves preaching the gospel of going
to heaven and also that gospel that carries messages of transformation
through emphasizing agriculture and fighting poverty.
“It will also be my work to make sure
to empower the church to be able to impact and transform their
communities. I encourage you the church to embrace agriculture and
wealth creation and I’m praying that God opens the doors for us,” Bishop
Odongo said.
Bishop Odongo is now responsible for
overseeing all Pentecostal/Born-Again churches in Uganda and the
National Fellowship of Born Again- Pentecostal Churches is structured in
15 regions and with 57 provinces across the country.
Bishop Odongo will be deputized by
Dr. John Kabuye Kaggwa, Dr. Magezi Africano as the Gen. secretary and
the National Treasurer as Pastor Olive Janet Gidudu.
At the same function President
Museveni gifted Bishop Odongo with a brand-new vehicle to help him in
evangelization. He also promised to provide cars for all the Bishops of
the National Fellowship of Born Again and Pentecostal Churches.
“I will give you the cars, no problem,” he said.
The National Fellowship of Born-Again
Pentecostal Churches is an umbrella network of Pentecostal churches,
para-church organizations and missionary organizations operating in
Uganda. It is registered with the Government of Uganda, as a
non-denominational and politically non-partisan.
The fellowship exists primarily as a
voice for its membership and to support and nurture the effective growth
and development of the Pentecostal movement through networking,
capacity building and enabling strategic partnerships.
The ceremony was attended by several
Born Again leaders who include, Prof. Simeon Kayiwa, Apostle Michael
Kimuli, Pastor Robert and Mrs. Jessica Kayanja, Apostle Grace Lubega,
Bishop Tom Mugerwa, Apostle John Bunjo, Apostle Umar Mulinde and Dr.
Sserwadda who represented the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda Rev.
Steven Kaziimba Mugalu and all the other seven members of the council of
presidents of the Inter Religious Council of Uganda.
Others were Born Again
representatives from all the regions of Uganda and outside countries
such as the United States, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and the United
Kingdom.
Other dignitaries included;
Ministers, Members of Parliament, Hon. Justice Mike Chibita who
administered the oath of allegiance, Army officials and Traditional
leaders.