Do not trivialise the RFBO policy

Oct 08, 2019

The proposed policy introduces, among others, the issues of transparency and accountability in the operations

By Joseph Serwadda

A fortnight ago, His Excellency the President met a cross section of the Born Again Church leadership at Lugogo, to address them on Operation Wealth Creation. At least that was what we were told was the agenda. He didn't say much on this and apparently, we did not have any presentations to make in the form of project proposals and / or expectations. It was such a casual visit, one that smacked of cordiality, warmth, sincerity and close affection. It is undeniable that the President has a soft spot for Balokole! He, remarkably however, had no prepared speech. If you understand protocol, it was easy to smell a rat, when neither line minister, PS, PPS nor PPA was in his company. 

He discussed, as usual, the shallowness of traditional religious groups and the laziness of those that formed the core of his audience! He actually told one of his usual ‘bush time' stories, one of the cadre who was dying of Ettalo (cellulitis); swellings which occur when certain types of bacteria enter the skin through a cut or crack. He was candid in educating us that in the same way his cadre did not know what he was suffering from and the possible cure, which was a couple of doses of anti-biotic pills, one can actually die of ignorance! His analogy was that if anything will kill the Born Again Church, it will be the lack of assimilation, absorption, properly understanding information and/or ideas.

During and after his speech, it became evident that the President had been fed with information that "a lot" of Balokole were unhappy with the Religious & Faith Based Organisations Policy now commonly branded as The Lokodo Policy. It is interesting to note that even with the news reporters, that was what carried the following day! The best that came out of that get-together, was that the President, smart as he is, promised to bring the matter up for discussion in a more elaborate and inclusive forum. All senior religious leaders of the major denominations in the country will be invited. If you wish, this will be an Inter Religious Council of Uganda meeting! And yes, several pots and mugs of milk (ebyantsi by'amate) will be served. 

I do not know the President's sources, which should account for the kind of response he gave on the now thorny policy. Whether he was informed by his advisers, a few of our pastors who have his ear or some of blue-eyed informers, is a guess you and I can always entertain. But what seems to be of essence here is the fact that the entire policy has been condensed and in effect trivialised to the inconsequential matter of training for ministry! If the RFBO policy is about education or the lack of it, then who needs one? 

Nonetheless, anyone who has seen the September 2019 edition of the RFBO Policy (called FINAL DRAFT) by the Ministry of Ethics and Integrity, which will be discussed by the heads of religious and faith organisations, Inter Religious Council Executives, Judges, Members of Parliament, members of the inter agency forum, registration bodies, media houses and specially handpicked VIPs, will agree with me that there are very many pertinent and far important issues than the worry of whether one has any training or not. 

The proposed policy introduces, among others, the issues of transparency and accountability in the operations of the RFBOs, revisiting the registration process, strengthening the partnership between the State and RFBOs, promotion of unity in diversity, among others. These issues are not captured anywhere in the laws under which we used to register our establishments.

There are other issues, on the Born Again churches' grapevine, like the possibility of taxation of Balokole churches, the rumours of stifling the activities on evangelism and church planting, the possibility of arrest and subsequent imprisonment should one say anything that may offend another religion, the presence of Government officials' on the local RFBO (Church or Mosque) Board, say an RDC, the in-equality of all RFBOs in the sight of Government and many others, are all still debatable and, I hope, changeable. It is, however, interesting that whenever these issues are raised, there seems to be no response from Government on them. It is as if the rumours are actually true! We need assurance which has deluded Balokole for ages on those and the following:

First, a statutory guarantee for the Perpetuity of Born Again Churches. In 1977, the Born Again Church experienced great tribulation, when a sitting President, Idi Amin, by decree, abolished our churches. Members began to have home fellowships in order to keep the body of Christ alive. Many Christians were imprisoned. A repeat of the same ordeal is possible, unless pre-emptied by an actual legislation. 

Secondly, there needs to be created of a one-stop centre of registration and licensing. There seems to be no rationale for double or even triple registration. What needs to happen is on successful registration, all other permits and licenses, including marriages, should encapsulated in that one document or if they need to be numerous, be issued together on that one occasion. 

Thirdly, a statutory Guarantee for the self-regulatory Status of Born Again Churches. The issue of self-regulation is of cardinal interest here. We have two great opportunities for our faith communities to show a seriously concerned public that all abuses will now be permanently ended. We have come, as a community, to point where we must self-regulate or government will do it for us. On serious scrutiny, and before we run to the President, in order to self-regulate, we must begin to exhibit the highest ethical standards ever in our nation. We need to quickly identify the core of the moral principles and values that we all share, and speak the same language. 

If the policy will address the above concerns regarding our faith, then the policy will have achieved its purpose. The Swahili people have a saying, "Asiyefunzwa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu" literally, ‘if you do not listen to your mom, the world will have no mercy during the process of aligning you'. This Jjajja who handles Balokole with kid gloves will not be present when a "new Pharaoh, who knows not Joseph" shows up! 

What seems to be at stake is much more than a diploma, it is the future and assurance of our faith's existence in this environment that seems to be so hostile and keeps picking up momentum on the safety of our churches. The matter of training is nothing and churches that want to remain in the dreamland of the lack of it, will see their congregations dwindle, naturally. Guno omulembe ssi gw'abataasoma! He who has ears to ear, let him hear!

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