Social commentator Frank Gashumba has maintained that he will not apologise over his controversial remarks about alleged fake pastors, insisting that his criticism was directed at individuals he accuses of staging miracles rather than attacking God or Christianity. His position comes after Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) president General Muhoozi Kainerugaba called on him to apologise to Christians following the public dispute.
Gashumba sparked heated debate after challenging Pentecostal pastors who claim to possess miraculous healing powers to demonstrate their abilities on critically ill patients in hospitals. He initially offered Shs200 million before raising the challenge to Shs500 million, naming Mulago National Referral Hospital, Nsambya Hospital and Mengo Hospital as places where the claimed healings could be demonstrated.
The outspoken commentator argued that religious leaders who claim to heal serious illnesses through prayer should be willing to prove their claims under conditions that the public can observe. He accused some preachers of taking advantage of vulnerable believers by promising miracles while asking them for money, a practice he believes deserves greater scrutiny.
Despite the backlash, Gashumba has maintained that his comments should not be interpreted as an attack on God. He insists that his objection is to what he describes as fake pastors, questionable miracle claims and religious practices that allegedly exploit people seeking help. His position has put him at odds with several prominent Pentecostal leaders.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who leads the PLU, publicly distanced the organisation from the controversy and called on Gashumba to apologise to Christians. Muhoozi’s intervention added a political dimension to the dispute, which had largely centred on religion, miracle claims and the conduct of some church leaders.
The disagreement also drew a strong response from Miracle Centre Cathedral lead pastor Robert Kayanja, who rejected suggestions that miracles associated with his ministry were fake. Other religious leaders questioned Gashumba’s decision to attach a financial reward to the demonstration of miracles, arguing that faith should not be turned into a public wager.
Gashumba’s daughter, Sheila Gashumba, also defended her father amid the exchanges, arguing that questioning alleged fake miracles and demanding accountability from religious leaders should not automatically be equated with attacking Christianity. The debate has since expanded beyond the individuals involved, with discussions focusing on religious freedom, accountability and the treatment of vulnerable believers.
The controversy continues to attract attention as Gashumba stands by his criticism while the PLU considers disciplinary action over his remarks. At the centre of the dispute is a question that has divided public opinion: whether challenging alleged fraudulent religious practices should be treated separately from criticism of faith itself.
