TAKEAWAYS

• Frank Gashumba challenged Juma Mulokole to a Shs500 million healing showdown.
• He questioned why alleged miracle workers do not visit hospitals such as Mulago.
• Gashumba criticised church giving, repeated prayer routines and what he sees as exploitation of believers.

Renowned political commentator and businessman Frank Gashumba has renewed his criticism of self-styled prophets who claim to perform miracles and heal the sick, challenging one such preacher to a Shs500 million test of his alleged healing powers.

Speaking to Spark TV, Gashumba was responding to claims by Juma Mulokole, who has recently spoken about his ability to heal people suffering from different illnesses.

Gashumba challenged Mulokole to a Shs500 million cash challenge, proposing that both parties place the money with a neutral person before the test.

“Let us look for a neutral person and put Shs500 million there. If you say you can heal people, demonstrate it. Let people see what you can actually do.”

Gashumba argued that some self-styled prophets are “masqueraders” who take advantage of people’s faith and vulnerability. He questioned why some of those who claim to possess extraordinary healing powers do not visit hospitals where patients are receiving treatment.

He cited Mulago National Referral Hospital, saying he knows a prophet who operates near the hospital but declined to name him.

“Every day people are dying at Mulago, and there is even a mortuary there. If you say you can heal people, why don’t you go there and heal those who are sick?”

Gashumba also questioned the practice of inviting foreign preachers to Uganda for miracle crusades. Referring to an American pastor who was reportedly invited by a pastor in Rwanda, he wondered why such preachers do not first use their alleged powers to address challenges in their own countries.

On giving, Gashumba said he does not believe in giving a traditional tithe to churches, arguing instead that he considers helping vulnerable people his own form of giving.

He said his personal “religion” is Ubuntu and questioned why he should give money to pastors who, according to him, already have substantial wealth and businesses.

Gashumba also criticised what he described as excessive church routines, questioning how some congregants find time to work when they attend prayer sessions several times a day.

He further mocked the language used by some churches to describe their followers as “sheep”, questioning why believers are given that label.

The outspoken commentator has previously criticised some Pentecostal churches and their practices. He said that even in his village, residents once complained about a church because of excessive noise.

Gashumba concluded his latest remarks with his trademark humour, saying he would want to become a gatekeeper in heaven so that he could keep out the prophets he believes exploit people’s faith.