Singer Wycliff Tugume aka Ykee Benda has told critics demonizing Apostle Grace Lubega of Phaneroo Ministries over his $55m (about Shs200bn) church building project.
Ykee Benda argues that most people from the so-called traditional religions find Balokole churches and pastors an easy target, yet even their faiths are not doing the things they want Apostle Grace Lubega to do.
Emphasizing that God will continue to defend Lubega as He has always done, Ykee Benda noted that the attacks against the Phaneroo Ministries founder were uncalled for and that they went so far in showing how they had less regard for the apostle and the Balokole movement.
“I have seen all the abu$e towards Apostle Grace in the past few days, very unnecessary and quite disrespectful but I am not here to defend him because God has already taken that spot,” noted Ykee Benda.
The singer reminded Apostle Lubega’s critics that their religions ran hospitals and schools built by believers yet very expensive for ordinary believers to access.
“Someone mentioned hospitals, schools etc., tell me one catholic/moslem hospital/school that’s free of charge. When you realize the revenue of all church founded schools isn’t public information yet for private schools you can find it if you wanted to, you will understand and kind you these are the very schools that charge a premium lol,” argued Ykee Benda.
“If it’s ok to be catholic/moslem/adventist/musamize, please let those who chose to be balokole be, until it’s in the constitution on where one should belong, you have zero rights to come here and dictate.”
The ‘Muna Kampala’ singer went on to reveal that the Balokole know many wrongs or controversial issues in other faiths but choose to keep quiet about most of them.
“I went to catholic schools, and we always gave offertory off of our ka little pocket money. Why didn’t fathers/bishops just show up and teach the child of Uganda and wait for God to reward them? Balina amaaso naye tebalaba [they have eyes but they don’t see]! Peace and love,” he further noted.
“Balokole are overly nice and very nonconfrontational, but I think we need to pick a leaf from moslems. There’s a lot that’s controversial in any religion but people simply stay in their lanes about your beliefs, why can’t you do the same?”
He also observed that “the person shouting about exploitation is lining up at a concert to spend over 500k on €NKUD! concert.”
Ykee Benda’s views attracted a lot of attention from social media users. His opinion sounded much like Jesus’ rebuke: “3“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5, New International Version).
Daniel Oyerwot, also known as Dan Magic, attempted to defend Apostle Lubega’s critics.
“I agree—abu$ing Apostle Grace or anyone based on faith is wrong and uncalled for. No one should be disrespected for their beliefs. But let’s not confuse criticism with abu$e. The conversation here isn’t about which religion charges for hospitals or schools—it’s about the accountability and transparency of spiritual institutions, especially those built on voluntary giving and emotional trust,” wrote Dan Magic.
“The issue isn’t with being (Balokole). The issue is when faith becomes a tool to blindfold, exploit, and enrich a few, while the majority continue to suffer, hoping for miracles that never come. It’s not about attacking beliefs—it’s about asking: Where is the impact? Where is the fruit?
“If we’re going to claim moral authority and spiritual leadership, then we must also be open to scrutiny. Faith should transform society, not just fill offering baskets nedda boss. Peace and love—yes. But truth and accountability too.”
Ykee Benda responded to Dan Magic, telling him and his ilk to stop feeling about entitled to what they have not contributed to.
“Neda boss, I think the entitlement needs to stop. Sebo you who isn’t a member of that ministry you are seeking accountability? That’s quite hilarious but also expected,” Ykee Benda wrote.
“But away from the joke you just made, how many times have you asked for accountability from the Catholic Church? Do you know this is the richest of them all? Bottom line, seek accountability from the faith you belong to, leave ours to us we shall seek it if we don’t already know it.”
Days ago, Bishop Zac Niringiye trashed Apostle Grace Lubega’s Shs200bn Mega Church Project to be Funded by Followers, calling it “Robbery in Jesus’ Name.” (See Details Here).
But Apostle Grace Lubega’s followers have fired back at Zac Niringiye and Other Ugandans Criticizing $55m Church Project, comparing them to Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. (See Details Here).
It should be remembered that the number of Ugandans belonging to the Balokole churches has increased in the past 10 years while numbers for Catholics and Anglicans have slightly reduced, according to 2024 census figure reported Here.
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