Makerere University and Pastor Martin Ssempa of the defunct Makerere Community Church have taken parallel ends over land for born again (Balokole) Christians.
Pastor Ssempa said in a post on Friday that Makerere University had agreed to one of his requests to set aside land for the born again Community to built a church.
“At a mediation meeting today (Friday) between Makerere University and Pr Martin Ssempa, it was communicated that the University council had agreed to one of the request of Pr Ssempa to set aside land for the purpose of the inter denominational born again community worship and student center,”pastor Ssempa posted.
He said the land will be handed over in April 2024 after council’s approval in March, adding that the approval is a major step forward in the achievement of equality and enjoyment of freedom of worship.
“The approval of land for the Born Again Faith is a major step forward in the achievement equality and enjoyment of freedom of worship by the non denominational and non traditional minority religious groups,”he added.
However, Makerere University has come out to deny the development. Makerere says the Balokole question is still being resolved and progress will be communicated by the committee in charge.
“We wish to clarify that this matter is still before a competent Mediation Committee appointed by University Management and any pronouncements before it concludes its work are not accurate and misleading,”part of a post from Makerere reads.
Makerere added that: “We therefore appeal to the public and all parties to patiently wait for the conclusion of the Mediation Committee’s work and issuance of the final report”.
Pastor Martin Ssempa dragged Makerere University to the Equal Opportunities Commission demanding that the University grants Balokole space to establish their own church and a chaplaincy.
Ssempa said the university denied him space to conduct prayers after the previous space at school of veterinary medicine was taken away from him.
The commission advised the two parties to resolve the matter amicably leading to the institution of a committee by Makerere University to resolve the conflict.
