Regulating Born Again Churches Is the Way to Go, Daily Monitor, July 18, 2007

Regulating Born Again Churches Is the Way to Go

Daily Monitor
July 18, 2007

http://www.monitor.co.ug/inspol/inspol07187.php

CROSSFIRE

Trouble has been brewing in the nation's born-again churches, with every day bringing fresh headlines proclaiming sexual and physical abuse and financial mismanagement. Some Ugandans are calling for more government oversight into these churches, which are currently classified as NGOs. Agnes Nandutu and David Herbert talked to the State Minister of Ethics and Integrity Mr James Nsaba Buturo and Pastor Joseph Sserwada

In the wake of scandals ranging from sodomy, the use of electric gadgets and fraud among the pastors in the country, do you think government should regulate these churches?

Buturo: As government, there is already a draft policy on that. It's called religious guidelines policy. There should be guidelines on religious activities. We are consulting with stakeholders, and we are about to introduce it to cabinet and finally to Parliament for debate. Not that we want to have control over the born again churches but they should be organised and work under certain guidelines.

SELF REGULATE: Pastor Sserwada against stringent government interference.

As government, we want them to behave in a manner so that the public can have trust in them. They should be transparent in their operations. They should also have accountability for their finances. They should operate under an organised umbrella and follow the set up guidelines.

Sserwada: I do not think there is a need. Evil happens everywhere. As long as they continue to keep us under lock and key as Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), they will have created a monster. When they let us open freely like other faiths, then we will be able to self-regulate.

CONSULTATIONS: Dr Nsaba Buturo wants churches to work under supervision.

As it is now, if we say so-and-so did something funny or unscriptural or even criminal, the government jumps. Does it mean all Catholics are perfect? Does it mean all Anglicans are pure? The Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity has taken it upon himself to be the Archbishop of our churches.

As one of the senior pastors in the country/ Minister of Ethics and Integrity, what kinds of regulations might be effective in combating these crimes?

Buturo: Once the policy is in place, all the people who are hiding behind the real born again Christians would be handled. They should take individual responsibility. The idea is that we shall take the churches out of the NGOs. The churches cannot be categorised with NGOs because they are completely spiritual.

We want them to operate like other faiths. There should be training of those who intend to set up churches. They should belong somewhere. People should not wake up one morning, register and run a church. This is what has brought all these scandals. Once we stop them to register like NGOs, very many things would be avoided.

Sserwada: We are already required to renew our registration with the government every year. They have to do it uniformly for all churches. It is ridiculous that we have the same regulations as NGOs. What do we have in common with them? When we are free of this, we will take care of our sinners.

Self-regulation seems to be working for other religious entities. Do you think it can work for born again churches?

Buturo: Once there is a policy in place, self-regulation would be possible. Government guarantees freedom of worship but it shouldn't be used to interfere with other people's freedom. Once all pastors belong to one association, acts of individuals should be exposed and the law deals with them. If there are pastors who pretend, they should be held accountable. So the policy would set out parameters on how pastors should operate.

Sserwada: We do not want to be treated like NGOs. We preach the gospel. We have done great work in shaping up the morals of many Ugandans. Crime has reduced because of pastors in this country. We are not NGOs

Born-again churches seem to be the only religious organisations being accused of these problems. Do you suspect a witch-hunt?

Buturo: I don't know but there is over exaggeration. In addition, systems in the born again churches are not clear. When we agree on how to work, everything will be fine. They should be transparent in their operations. There should be weekly declaration of the finances of the church. Any organisation should be transparent.

Sserwada: I think it is a religious vendetta by some people who are using their government offices to harass us. If the government wakes up tomorrow and decides we are not an NGO, we will sort ourselves out. These are Catholics and Muslims and Anglicans playing games because there are so many people leaving their traditional churches and coming to us.

Do you think certain pastors are merely using their churches as a cover for illegal activities?

Buturo: Well, investigations are on and the truth would come out. I ask the public to keep calm until investigations are over

Sserwada: I think so. Some of these people should not be pastors. But what can you do? They have licenses.

Do you think there are priests and imams committing similar crimes that go unreported?

Buturo: I cannot say anything until there is evidence

Sserwada: I can't say they are doing the same things, only that there is evil everywhere. There was the case recently of a pastor with an electrical device. The police should have investigated this man, followed him to the platform and caught him using the device. Tell these people to leave us alone.