Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre Cathedral has hit back at Frank Gashumba following his criticism of pastors who claim to perform miracles, insisting that the miracles associated with his ministry are genuine.
Kayanja’s response comes amid a growing public debate after Gashumba challenged pastors, prophets and apostles who claim to heal the sick to demonstrate their powers under publicly verifiable conditions.
“Do not listen to the foolishness of a person claiming there are no miracles. If your miracles out there are fake, ours are not. Jesus said miracles are food for His children,” Kayanja said.
The pastor maintained that the existence of alleged fake miracles should not lead people to dismiss all claims of supernatural healing. His remarks appeared to distinguish the miracles he says occur in his ministry from those Gashumba has questioned.
Gashumba recently challenged religious leaders who claim to possess healing powers to demonstrate them in a hospital setting. He initially offered Shs200 million before raising the amount to Shs500 million for any pastor who could heal a critically ill patient under publicly verifiable conditions.
The media personality has questioned why pastors who claim to heal serious illnesses do not routinely visit intensive care units to pray for critically ill patients. He has also argued that people should attend church to worship God and give thanks rather than making miracles the main reason for attending services.
Kayanja is among the religious leaders who have responded to Gashumba’s challenge. Bishop David Kiganda has also criticised turning faith into a public contest, while Pastor Juma Mulokole has reportedly expressed willingness to take up the challenge.
The exchange has sparked further discussion about faith, miracles and accountability among religious leaders in Uganda. While Gashumba continues to question claims of supernatural healing, Kayanja has maintained that genuine miracles exist and urged believers not to be influenced by those who deny them.
