KAMPALA — Few religious leaders in Uganda command the kind of attention that Pastor Aloysius Bugingo does.
For years, the founder of House of Prayer Ministries International (HPMI) and owner of Salt Media has built a following that stretches far beyond his church pews. His sermons routinely trend online, his pronouncements generate headlines, and his critics and supporters alike hang on his every word.
Now, a single statement delivered during a lunchtime church service has thrust him into yet another national controversy—one that has ignited an intense debate about ethics, integrity, religious influence and the values shaping Ugandan society.
Speaking during a June 12 Lunch Hour service broadcast on Salt TV, Bugingo offered a candid reflection about what he would do if he stumbled upon a large sum of money.
“I am a born-again Christian, but I will not lie to you: if I find a sack of money in my garden, I am not reporting it to the local chairperson.”
The remark quickly spread across social media platforms, where clips of the sermon accumulated thousands of views and triggered fierce reactions.
According to accounts shared online, Bugingo framed the hypothetical scenario as an example of divine provision. He reportedly suggested that money discovered unexpectedly on one’s property could be interpreted as an answer to prayer or a miracle from God. At the same time, he distinguished the situation from money accidentally deposited into a bank account, which he said should be reported and returned.
To many listeners, however, the distinction was unconvincing.
Within hours, academics, politicians, clergy and ordinary Ugandans had joined a heated conversation about honesty, accountability and the responsibilities of influential religious leaders.
Among the most prominent critics was Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, the former Makerere University vice chancellor and former presidential candidate.
In a lengthy post on X, Baryamureeba recounted an experience from a visit to China that he said illustrated the importance of personal integrity.
“Two years ago, I was in China. I went to an ATM to withdraw money and I didn’t succeed in getting it out because the message on the screen was in Chinese. So I managed to get my visa card out and left. Then a Chinese lady went to the ATM to withdraw money. In less than a minute she was shouting and then I looked back. I saw her holding money and running after me. It was my money I had left at the ATM. I got it from her and she couldn’t even accept a thank you in terms of money.
Now you know why our country’s values have died. A pastor to tell his congregation that stealing is fine because I found the money in the garden like he had kept it there. This kind of behavior runs through our society. It’s common to find a CEO spending time planning on how to steal ugx 50,000 petty cash per day. Then you wonder when do such people engage in strategic thinking and planning if most of their time is spent on planning on stealing small change. With this mentality we shall remain backward as a country and a continent.”
The professor’s comments resonated widely online, where many users echoed concerns that Uganda’s struggle with corruption begins with seemingly small compromises in personal ethics.
Baryamureeba later sharpened his criticism by referencing longstanding questions surrounding fundraising efforts for Bugingo’s ambitious Pentagon church project, a mega worship complex that has been a centerpiece of the pastor’s vision for years.
His intervention was soon followed by another high-profile response.
Dr. Kenneth Omona, the former Principal Private Secretary to President Yoweri Museveni and former State Minister for Northern Uganda, publicly challenged the pastor’s remarks.
“Pr Bugingo, with due respect my dear brother, this message of yours kills the much desired societal Character of our country. I am not holly either but think of countries like Singapore, South Korea, UAE and others, if they entertained this kind of message, I don’t think they would have attained the global Trust, sustainable development, admiration, attraction and Transformation we see now. Remember the Children of Eli the Priest – Hophni and Phinehas. En kuman ba. With due respect sir. Happy Sunday.”
His comments reflected a broader concern that messages delivered by influential religious leaders can shape public attitudes toward honesty, responsibility and national development.
The controversy has once again placed Bugingo at the center of Uganda’s public conversation, a position he has occupied repeatedly over the last decade.
One of the country’s most recognizable Pentecostal preachers, Bugingo has built a vast following through his energetic preaching style, extensive media presence and willingness to address controversial issues directly.
To supporters, he is an authentic and fearless pastor who speaks truths that others avoid. To critics, he is a polarizing figure whose provocative remarks often overshadow his religious message.
His public profile has frequently intersected with controversy.
His highly publicized separation from and legal disputes involving his former wife, Teddy Naluswa, generated years of national debate. The matter spilled from courtrooms into church services and television broadcasts, drawing criticism from some religious leaders, lawmakers and members of the public who questioned the public nature of the dispute.
Bugingo has also faced criticism over his repeated attacks on fellow clergy. His sermons and broadcasts have, at times, prompted complaints to regulators and religious bodies, with critics accusing him of using inflammatory language against other pastors and churches.
Yet controversy has often strengthened rather than weakened his public influence.
In January 2024, Bugingo survived an assassination attempt in Kampala in which his bodyguard, Richard Muhumuza, was killed. The attack shocked the country and generated intense public sympathy, renewed attention to his ministry and widespread speculation. (See related details Here).
The latest debate, however, has touched a particularly sensitive nerve because it centers on morality itself.
Uganda remains one of Africa’s most religious countries, with churches playing a powerful role in shaping social values. Pentecostal and born-again movements have expanded dramatically over the last three decades, giving charismatic pastors influence that often extends beyond spiritual matters into politics, economics and public life.
That influence explains why Bugingo’s comments have generated reactions far beyond his congregation.
Supporters argue that the pastor was simply being honest about what many ordinary people might think in such circumstances. They say his remarks reflected realism rather than an endorsement of dishonesty and contend that critics have taken the statement out of context.
Others have interpreted the comments through the lens of prosperity theology, a belief held by some Christians that unexpected blessings may be manifestations of divine favor or answers to prayer.
Critics, however, argue that the issue is larger than personal honesty.
They contend that religious leaders are expected to model ethical behavior and that suggesting a person should keep unclaimed money risks normalizing conduct that undermines trust and accountability.
The debate has unfolded against a backdrop of growing public concern about corruption and governance. Uganda continues to grapple with periodic scandals involving public funds, procurement irregularities and abuse of office. For many commentators, the outrage surrounding Bugingo’s remarks reflects deeper frustrations about the erosion of ethical standards in both public and private life.
As clips of the sermon continue circulating online, the controversy shows little sign of fading.
Instead, it has evolved into something larger than a discussion about a hypothetical sack of money.
It has become a national conversation about integrity, accountability and the responsibilities that come with influence.
For supporters, the pastor’s comments represented honesty and faith in divine provision. For critics, they revealed a troubling willingness to blur the line between blessing and ownership.
Either way, the episode has once again demonstrated the extraordinary power of religious voices in Uganda—and the intense scrutiny that follows when those voices touch the country’s deepest moral questions.
The numbers of Balokole (Bornagains, Pentecostals and evangelicals) in Uganda have grown, making the religion one of the largest in Uganda, according to census figures. (See Details Here).
But the Balokole have faced criticism over controversial issues, with one former Anglican bishop openly telling another Balokole pastor to stop stealing in the name of God. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
