TAKEAWAYS

• Bishop David Kiganda has pushed back against Frank Gashumba’s criticism of pastors and his reported Shs500 million miracle challenge.
• Kiganda cites his church’s work among people affected by prostitution, drug abuse and crime in Kisenyi.
• The bishop says pastors should focus on their ministry and community impact instead of trying to prove their faith to sceptics.

Born-again pastor Bishop David Kiganda has hit back at businessman and political commentator Frank Gashumba over his remarks accusing some religious leaders of manipulating believers and performing fake miracles.

Gashumba has recently challenged pastors claiming to perform miracles to prove their powers, reportedly offering Shs500 million to any pastor who can heal the sick or bring the dead back to life. He has argued that some religious leaders exploit vulnerable people for financial gain without offering anything extraordinary in return.

However, Kiganda has dismissed the challenge, saying he has personally witnessed the power of God and seen the impact of his ministry on people’s lives.

Speaking about his church’s work in Kisenyi, Kampala, the bishop pointed to the transformation of people who previously struggled with prostitution, drug abuse and criminal activities.

“When I started my church in Kisenyi, there were about eight camps of women involved in prostitution, with approximately 30 women in each camp,” Kiganda said, explaining how the ministry had worked to change lives in the area.

He added that the neighbourhood also had drug addicts and people involved in robbery, many of whom had since embraced Christianity through the church’s outreach.

Kiganda argued that such changes in people’s lives were evidence of the work his ministry was doing in the community, adding that he had no reason to engage in arguments with people who did not believe in God’s work.

The pastor also drew parallels with the biblical account of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, saying Christians should follow Jesus’ example rather than feel compelled to prove themselves to sceptics.

He maintained that pastors should concentrate on their calling and the impact they make in society instead of getting drawn into public challenges over their faith.

Kiganda’s response comes amid renewed debate over religious leaders, miracle claims and accountability within Uganda’s religious community.