Like the ancient biblical saying goes, “there’s nothing new under the sun,” and true to this word is the occasional resurfacing of the infamous Religious and Faith Based Organisations (RFBO) bill. So far, of all the opposed government policies from recent and times past, this particular one has been so strongly challenged as it is meant to regulate religious and faith organisations.
Subtly, inasmuch as this may have been marketed as meant to curb “fake” religious leaders, if passed into law, this would affect and even extensively limit even both traditional and generally recognized religion like Catholics, Anglicans, Muslims, Indians, Buddhists, traditionalists among others. This policy would also affect those who are not believers, those who pose themselves to be atheists or agnostics as there would be a structure formed with a semblance of state religion whose higher powers solely lie in the hands of the president. The premature edict is plainly an infringement of and or threatens the fundamental right to freedom of worship and freedom to practice any religion.
In democratic pluralist and secular societies, freedom of religion is a fundamental right to be relished by all individuals. The most unique aspect of this human right is the extent to which it is premised on personal belief. For the most part in Uganda, under the 1995 constitution, different faiths have been permitted to express their beliefs freely and the presence of a plethora of laws is dependable upon in order to harness the vices that the proposers of this bill purport it to be justified for. Further still, I have reservations towards the intent of this bill as the policy which produced it was discussed in secret meetings and outside the public eye and yet it is far reaching and of very high significance to the well-being and the business of every Ugandan.
Mystical, is what it was on a fateful Tuesday fellowship in the year 2018, when the Prophet of God (Elvis Mbonye) revealed that he had seen “them” planning (like Elisha in the old testament times, as though present with them to even mention what drink a particular high ranking religious leader was having with much precision) as sure as absolute and certain as his utterance is, headlines began to emerge showing the results of a secret meeting with an Anti-Christ Agenda, which not even the public was privy to. Can anything be hidden from the sight of this caliber of Prophet? However, this wasn’t the first time this such a thing happened; earlier, he had also seen them in the year 2013 as they hatched this plan which was meant to extend the over bearing arm of the government into the sacred and vital human rights of its citizens and restrict the freedom of worship, thought and expression of all Ugandans.
In 2017, the prophet declared that the time had come when the prophet of God would contend with the prophets of Baal with a very stern and sure utterance. The battle ensued and the remnants of God were victorious. The outspoken former sports journalist Joseph Kabuleta, of the Watchman Ministries and lawyer Simon Ssenyonga have both relentlessly represented the position of the Prophet Elvis Mbonye Ministries as regards the Religious and Faith based Organisations Policy and have managed to delay the implementation of this draconian policy. Since then, other believers have likewise through diverse avenues conveyed their reasons as to why they oppose the RFBO policy. The most common there has been were mediums like: print media, the law and social media platforms through which has been expression of their discontent united under the hashtags #StopReligiousOppression, and #ProphetElvisMbonye. In fact, some of the leaders of other schools of faith like the Muslims for example Sheik Muzaata and others like traditionalists have also affirmed their unnegotiable position on the bill and sent warnings to the proponents of this lethal policy that seeks to put a muzzle on their freedom of expression, belief and consciousness. The delay in the implementation has exposed the evils of this policy.
No one else saw this coming except a one Prophet Elvis Mbonye. This prophet also had the boldness to publically warn the citizens about the mushrooming of this particular policy, who was behind it and its ill intent. One can only imagine what harm and destruction to the human rights, freedoms and consciousness of Ugandans the RFO bill would have caused if it had not met the formidable resistance given by those who heeded the voice of the Prophet. It is very unfortunate that the last time the voice of this prophet was not heeded by the authorities in Uganda, despite all efforts to warn those concerned, lives were lost in the 2010 Uganda terrorist bombings, the 2012 UPDF chopper crashes and numerous other prophecies, all in the presence of many attendants to weekly prophetic fellowships held under the banner of Zoe fellowship, a ministry Elvis founded and presides over.
Since then a series of false accusations have been awash in the media as a way to get back at the prophet for having the peoples best interest at heart. For example, he was falsely accused for allegedly de-campaigning the government’s Measles and Rubella Campaign of which he was later acquitted after unnecessary stalling by people who ought to know better. I think that any future attacks on the prophet shall be because he stood firmly and publically against such an unjust policy.
How did this man see the officials planning in secret and then reveal their intentions? What else does this man know that could prosper not only the remnants but also the nation at large regardless of societal differences? Shall the people of Uganda pay attention to what God is saying in this day and age?
Could it be an opportunity for the children of God to rise, advance and hold more territory until there is nowhere left to hide but a place of confrontation? Are all the kingdoms now becoming the Lord’s and of his Christ? (Jesus did indeed say occupy until I return) Could this be the gathering of believers globally to stand united “with one voice, one call and one cause” and then the blessing of God be commanded so that the church of Jesus become the actual physical head and not the tail? Such an outpouring of blessing that even the stores shall not be enough to store as declared by the Prophet on 5th November 2019 while he confessed that he was seeing the open heavens which he ushered his fellowship into that very evening?
Could this be the sound of an abundance of rain that the prophet heard late 2018 and in line with the declaration he made at the beginning of the year 2019 on Tuesday, January 1st 2019 that “THE HARVEST IS TRULY GREAT!” and very recently declared that the gathering of the Lord’s people has started for the final onslaught?
The Prophet has continuously and passionately expressed that this dispensation of the end time church and its demonstration of the Gospel of the Kingdom has to start here in Uganda for a witness unto the nations. Is this UNITY the secret for us to experience this abundance? Imagine what the body of Christ can achieve in unity towards the head! Nothing shall be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do! What a great time to be alive!
The Prophet declared the word that will shape our lives in this year 2020, “A GREAT DOOR AND EFFECTUAL HAS BEEN OPENED UNTO US!” We are well able to overcome. Join us this Tuesday at 5. 30 PM at Zoe grounds, Opposite KCCA football stadium Lugogo for a deeper experience of the oracles of the Most High God.
Written by Ivan Baguma, member of the National Christian Students Association.
