The increased demand of funds from Christians by religious leaders in all sects is causing many of the faithful to forego attending service/Mass.

Kasese deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Lt Maate Magwara says instead, more and more Christians are deciding to keep away from Church since they do not have the money to fill in the many baskets put in front of them in the course of the service or Mass.  

Magwara made the remarks during the consecration of the Rev. Fr. Vea Silala as a bishop in the ecumenical Orthodox Church at their headquarters in Nyabigando village of Mpondwe Lhubiriha town council in Kasese District on Boxing Day, December 26, 2023.

A religious norm under Ecumenical Orthodox Church being done at the consecration of Rev. Fr. Vea Silala as the bishop.

Magwara said the different fundraising programmes waged by most greedy clergy in the name of Church construction, buying vehicles for the clergy, among others, have crippled Christians financially even after offering the required Church gifts, including offertories, tithe and thanksgiving. 

This according to the commissioner, is a matter that has seen many embark on dodging to attend Church.

"And now they are attacking me that I am doing bad to speak out such, but I will not stop telling them," Magwara said.

He added that most churches have diverted away from their initial role of comforting, counselling and encouraging believers, among others. 

He says the churches are now using Christians as their source of wealth adding that this has left most Christians' faith on 'tension'.

Archbishop speaks out

His Grace Tom Kiiza Sibayirwa, the Archbishop ecumenical Orthodox Church, said in their Church it is all about serving He who called them to serve putting aside earthly materials such as expensive cars and big mansions.

"Our primary target is to increase the number of believers but also preach them the gospel of peace and salvation." he said.

"In most cases we recruit people who already have jobs or sound businesses and highly educated to be the ones to lead the flock of God," Sibayirwa added

Kabbyanga speaks out

At the memorial service of his mother, Yodesi Kabbyanga, on the same day at St Stephen Rusese Church of Uganda, national guidance state minister Godfrey Kabbyanga urged Church leaders to partner with the Government in monitoring the progress of its poverty alleviation programmes, especially the Parish Development Model.

According to Kabbyanga, the programme will empower people economically and in turn, they will get what to bring to church.