Uganda: Govt Asked to Probe Religious Sects

Kampala, Uganda - The government has been asked to investigate all religious sects and pastors in the country.

Addressing the media on Monday, clerics from the National Committee on Cults and False Teaching Awareness, presented a report with names of individuals and organisations they accused of being false preachers and cult denominations, most of which are based in Kampala.

The research, which also examined religious denominations in other countries, was conducted in the last five years by the Africa Centre for Apologetics Research, a continental Christian revival-oriented agency.

Paul Carden, a US evangelist and member of the agency, described cults as sects that deviate from the true teachings of the Bible, like encouraging their followers to "sow" (pay) large sums of money before they can get blessings.

The Rev. Can. Geoffrey Byaruhanga, a member of the team, said the country was headed for disaster if cults were not stopped.

He criticized the Government for looking on as thousands of Ugandans embrace new religious movements and follow self-styled prophets who claim to have healing powers.

He castigated some government officials who go to such churches seeking popularity, not knowing that they are misleading people.