President Yoweri Museveni has promised to address the ongoing debate over the registration of new churches as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Uganda.
Speaking at the Universal Church Mega Youth Crusade organized by Prophet David Isanga of the Universal Apostles Fellowship Church of Righteousness in Kaliro, Museveni stressed that churches should be recognized as religious institutions, not NGOs.
His comments were in response to concerns from religious leaders and their congregations, who believe that requiring churches to register as NGOs compromises their religious independence. They argue that this classification brings unnecessary government oversight and restricts churches from functioning freely as places of worship.
“The issue of churches having to register as NGOs, we are going to solve it. A church is a church, not an NGO,” Museveni said, reassuring the religious community that the government would work on correcting this situation.
Many church leaders welcomed Museveni’s pledge, viewing it as a major step toward safeguarding the independence and integrity of religious institutions in Uganda. However, the exact changes to the registration process and their impact on the relationship between the government and religious organizations are still unclear.
This development comes as part of a larger conversation in Uganda about the role of religion in society and the proper level of government involvement in religious matters. Museveni’s commitment to resolving the registration issue could ease tensions and create a more supportive environment for religious freedom in the country.