Social commentator Frank Gashumba has said he would turn to Catholic priests rather than born-again pastors for prayers if he ever fell sick, insisting that his criticism is directed at what he describes as fake religious leaders who exploit vulnerable people in the name of God.

Gashumba clarified that he has never questioned the existence of God or the power of Jesus Christ, but instead objects to religious leaders who claim to perform miracles and heal serious illnesses while allegedly using such claims to solicit money from the public.

First, I have never said that God does not exist or that Jesus does not work. I simply condemned these fake prophets, pastors and apostles who successfully use the name of Jesus to rob the poor.

To challenge claims by some pastors that they can heal diseases such as cancer and HIV, Gashumba said he had offered Shs200 million, later increasing the amount to Shs500 million, to anyone willing to demonstrate such healing abilities at hospitals including Nsambya Hospital, Rubaga Hospital or Mulago National Referral Hospital.

He claimed that no one had come forward to collect the money.

Gashumba also revealed that some religious leaders had allegedly threatened him with misfortune following his criticism of their practices.

One of them said they have given me one year and I will be flattened like a chapati. Another female pastor said my family will suffer misfortune until I need a pastor to pray for me.

“If Jesus stops performing miracles, will you stop going to church?” – Gashumba challenges pastors

However, Gashumba maintained that such threats would not change his position, saying he would not seek prayers from born-again pastors even if he fell sick and needed spiritual intervention.

First of all, I will never bother to call for a pastor to pray for me. If I ever fall sick and need prayer, Catholic fathers are there and I have some bishop friends. I am 100 per cent a Catholic.

He went on to compare Catholic priests with born-again pastors, arguing that the training required for Catholic ordination makes the two different.

Besides, one father is better than 1,000 pastors. One reverend-father’s prayer is better than 1,000 pastors.

Frank Gashumba

According to him, becoming a Catholic priest requires years of formal education and preparation before ordination, unlike what he described as the ease with which some people establish churches and begin claiming to perform miracles.

You do not simply become a Catholic priest. You have to get a degree and have to go another four to six years to become a priest.

Gashumba further criticised what he described as a lack of proper preparation among some born-again religious leaders in Uganda, arguing that some individuals establish churches shortly after converting to the faith.

But here in Uganda, someone gets born-again at 10 and at midday they start their own church and at 5pm they are performing miracles.

He concluded by insisting that his comments should not be interpreted as an attack on Christianity or God, but rather as criticism of individuals he believes use religion to deceive their followers.

Those who are hitting me, it means the shoe fit them perfectly. I have never despised God. I despise these people who pretend to be God.