Renowned Ugandan pastor Martin Ssempa has openly criticized Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, accusing him of being “anti-Christ” after the university shut down a 25-year-old Born Again Christian church operating on campus.
In a fiery tweet, Pastor Ssempa revealed his frustrations, stating that Makerere University’s administration had deemed the church “illegitimate and unacceptable.” The closure also impacted Prime Time, a popular weekly fellowship that the church ran, which Ssempa says had served thousands of students over the years.
Ssempa disclosed that efforts to mediate with the university had yielded “false promises” and accused Prof. Nawangwe of violating constitutional rights to freedom of worship. He has since petitioned the Equal Opportunities Court to intervene and demanded the reopening of the church before Christmas.
Pastor Ssempa emphasized the growing influence of the Born Again Christian community in Uganda, which he claims now constitutes 14.5% of the population, making it the largest religious minority group. He framed the university’s actions as discriminatory, adding that Makerere appears to welcome Western LGBTQ donors while silencing religious voices that oppose homosexuality.
In his call for public action, Ssempa highlighted other issues he associates with Prof. Nawangwe’s leadership, including:
- The suspension of students advocating for better welfare.
- Dismissals of university staff under controversial circumstances.
- Allegations of 147 unaccredited courses still being taught.
- The alleged prioritization of profit-making policies, making education unaffordable for underprivileged students.
“Stop Nawangwe the Anti-Christ,” Ssempa tweeted, rallying support for his cause with hashtags like #BangTheTable and #MakeMakerereGreatAgain.
Makerere Responds
As of now, Prof. Nawangwe and Makerere University have not issued a formal response to Pastor Ssempa’s accusations. However, sources within the university suggest that the shutdown was prompted by concerns over compliance with institutional regulations, not religious discrimination.
