The news of the proposed national policy on religious and faith-based organization did not go down well with some pastors especially in the Pentecostal community.
“We request that H.E the president considers the transfer of Hon father Simon Lokodo into another ministry,” pastor David Kiganda of Christian Focus Centre stated.
Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Fr. Simon Lokodo says the proposed policy is not his idea as alleged but it is a project that has been in the pipe line for some time.
“And then to say that Father Lokodo must go away from Ethics and Integrity and maybe it will bring about the death and disappearance of policy; no, this is a government policy,” he explained.
He says there is a lot of extortion, exploitation of money, bad guidance and many other things that take place in these churches.
He said the precautionary measures are vital if incidents like kibwetere where over 200 people were killed are to be avoided.
“We want churches to be transparent. What you get from people, give back to people in another form but not to enrich yourself,” he added.
Fr. Lokodo feels anyone who preaches the word of God should attain some level of religious education.
“They can’t even read, they just have the word of God in their head and they go there and say it.” he said.
In 2016, Reverend Canon Aaron Busingye, the Director for Religious Affairs in the Ministry of Ethics and Integrity, said key issues in the proposed policy will include creating and empowering the department for Religious Affairs to vet and recommend the registration of religious organisation, establishment of a data management system, regulation as well as establish collaboration between government and faith-based organisations to implement government programmes.
