TAKEAWAYS

• Criticism of Gashumba: Nakimera says his approach to exposing fake pastors is inappropriate, even if his intentions are good.
• Personal testimony: She recounts seeking medical help before turning to prayer, which she credits with her recovery.
• Defence of faith: She argues that Gashumba’s personal views should not undermine other people’s belief in God and miracles.

Singer-turned-born-again Christian Grace Nakimera has challenged businessman and social-political commentator Frank Gashumba over his recent remarks questioning the credibility of pastors and the miracles they claim to perform in churches.

Gashumba has recently attracted attention for describing some pastors as fraudsters who use churches as money-making businesses. He also challenged religious leaders to claim a UGX 500 million bounty if any of them could demonstrate the ability to raise a dead person or cure someone suffering from a chronic disease.

However, Nakimera believes that although Gashumba may be trying to expose fake pastors, the language he uses when discussing matters of faith is inappropriate.

She argued that certain spiritual experiences cannot easily be explained and should be left to God, adding that her personal experience had strengthened her belief in divine healing.

“I don’t know his motive, whether he wants to separate the fake pastors from the genuine ones, which would be a good thing, but the language he is using is wrong,” Nakimera said.

The singer revealed that she once experienced health challenges that left her seeking answers from different doctors. According to her, medical examinations failed to establish what was wrong with her until she visited a church where a pastor prayed for her.

She maintains that she subsequently recovered, an experience she considers evidence of God’s power and the possibility of divine healing.

Nakimera compared faith in God to oxygen, explaining that people depend on it without necessarily understanding where it comes from.

She further argued that Gashumba, despite his success in business, should recognise the importance of God in people’s lives instead of making remarks that she considers dismissive of believers.

The singer also criticised his previous comments questioning why young people should not stop becoming born again, insisting that personal success cannot replace faith.

“No matter how successful you are or what you do, if it is without God and you invite the devil into your house, it can never end well,” she argued.

Nakimera maintained that Gashumba’s personal beliefs should not determine what others choose to believe, adding that his criticism of Christians and religious leaders was unnecessary.

Her remarks add to the ongoing debate about religious accountability, alleged fraudulent pastors and the place of faith in society.