Pastor Moses Solomon Male has defended political commentator Frank Gashumba in his ongoing dispute with Ugandan evangelical pastors, accusing some church leaders of faking miracles and using religion to enrich themselves.
Appearing on Sanyuka TV on Friday, Male said Gashumba had done nothing wrong by challenging pastors who claim to perform miraculous healings to prove their abilities. He also dismissed threats directed at the commentator over his remarks.
“Gashumba said nothing wrong. Even the threats against him amount to absolutely nothing,” Male said.
Male, the executive director of Arising for Christ (ARCH) Ministries, said some religious leaders had abandoned the purpose of the church and turned it into a platform for financial gain. He described those involved as charlatans and fraudsters whose primary interest was enriching themselves rather than serving believers.
“The church left its purpose long ago. We now have charlatans and fraudsters. Their ultimate goal is to enrich themselves. They do not perform miracles,” he said.
Male argued that while pastors could pray for people they believe are possessed by demons, claims of healing physical illnesses should be treated differently. He accused some preachers of staging miracles and misleading believers who turn to churches while seeking relief from their medical conditions.
The pastor said he had been speaking out against what he considers fraudulent miracle claims since 1993, adding that religious leaders who claim to possess extraordinary healing powers should be willing to demonstrate them before independent observers.
“Since 1993, I have been talking about fake miracles. If any pastor says they can raise the dead, I will take them to mortuaries. Those who claim to cure HIV/AIDS, I will take them to TASO, while those who say they can heal deaf people, I will take them to schools for the deaf,” Male said.
He explained that such institutions would provide an opportunity to test claims of miraculous healing among people whose conditions are known, rather than relying on testimonies presented during church services.
Male said his intention was to educate both religious leaders he considers fraudulent and members of the public who may be misled by their claims. He urged people suffering from physical illnesses to seek medical attention instead of relying solely on promises of miraculous healing.
“I want to educate people, from those who are charlatans to those who fake miracles. Physical illnesses should be treated in hospitals,” he said.
He described it as particularly painful for sick people to be promised healing, only for some religious leaders to take their money without delivering the help they had promised.
“Nothing is more painful than promising someone who is very ill that they will be healed, only to deceive them and take their money,” Male said.
Male's intervention adds to the growing debate surrounding Gashumba's Shs500 million challenge to pastors who claim to perform miraculous healings. Gashumba has challenged them to demonstrate their abilities in regulated hospitals, where medical professionals can assess the results.
However, the Bible presents healing as part of Christian ministry, with the New Testament recording instances of Jesus and his disciples healing the sick. In James 5:14-15, believers are encouraged to call church elders to pray over the sick, while Mark 16:17-18 refers to signs accompanying those who believe. For many Christians, prayer for healing remains an important expression of faith.
At the same time, Christian teachings warn against exploiting believers or using religion for personal gain.
In Matthew 10:8, Jesus instructs his disciples to give freely what they have received freely, while 1 Timothy 6:5-10 warns against treating godliness as a means of financial gain. These teachings have informed ongoing calls for accountability among religious leaders while leaving room for believers to practise their faith and seek prayer alongside appropriate medical care.
Gashumba has maintained that his criticism is directed at what he calls fake prophets, apostles and miracle workers who exploit poor believers in the name of Jesus, rather than Christianity itself.
His remarks have drawn mixed reactions from religious leaders, with some condemning his approach and others agreeing that fraudulent practices should be exposed.
Pastor Robert Kayanja has been among Gashumba's fiercest critics, accusing him of disrespecting religious leaders and spreading false information.
The dispute has also drawn in other members of the Kayanja family, while Pastor Jackson Senyonga and Pastor Martin Ssempa have expressed support for efforts to expose fraudulent religious practices.
Male, who founded Arising for Christ Ministries in 1999, has long campaigned against religious fraud, financial exploitation and abuse within churches.
His latest remarks place him among the religious figures who have backed Gashumba's demand that claims of miraculous healing be subjected to scrutiny.