Witchcraft on the grave of Christian martyrs

The Uganda Martyrs day is one of the strongest evidence that syncretism is the number one setback of Christianity in Uganda. With 3 million "Christians" gathered in one place it is the biggest Christian gathering of the year...If Jesus went to Namugongo...what do you think he would do?...I think he would only go to overturn tables and chase the money changers.

At the root of the problem facing Christianity in Uganda is a double standard life where people mix traditional culture and Christianity. People cloth old religious beliefs with a Christian dress. People profess Christ but live everyday lives using traditional practices. This explains why Uganda is 83% Christian yet one of the most corrupt nations on earth. Many are Christians on the surface and traditionalists deep inside.

This week we celebrated the Uganda martyrs day and over 3 million “Christians” gathered to celebrate the life of these martyrs. The Uganda Martyrs day is the strongest evidence proving the mixture of Christianity and traditional witch craft practices. People walk on foot all the way from Nairobi (650km), Kabale (450 km), Gulu (300km), all in the name of expressing their love for God and seeking answers to their questions, with the hope that their walking will manipulate God to give them what they want, without genuinely believing in him. It takes weeks and days to reach their final destination, the site of the murder of 39 Ugandan Christians in 1886. These were killed by Kabaka Mwanga for their faith in Jesus. They were killed in cold blood, the youngest about 12 years walked into the fire without being tied. They had committed their life to Jesus and rejected mixing traditional demonic practices with Christianity. The very practices the martyrs opposed and hence died for are the very practices displayed at the scene of their murder.  None of the martyrs would have in their life time. worshipped anyone who died for Christ. They saw Christ as the only person to live and die for. If the martyrs were in Namugongo this week, they would have torn their garments at the sound of those who hailed them and would have urged them to worship God alone.

There were long lines that stretched about 5 kms with “Christians” struggling to get “holy” water from the site. The belief is that it will heal them. How different is this from witchcraft? People collect soil from the site and carry it home with the hope that it will heal them. How different is this from witchcraft? People go to pray through these Christian “ancestors” with the hope that God will answer their prayers. How different is this from witchcraft?

Witchcraft is worshipping creation rather than the Creator.  This is besides the drunkenness, immoral sex orgies and dancing. It is on record that the police jails around the shrine are most occupied during Martyrs celebrations. This year alone over 70 petty thieves were arrested, about 15 0 drunken drivers were taken to the police jails. There are mobile bars set up, mobile disco’s set up, and mobile distilleries set up. Live pigs are taken to be slaughtered for roasting. Sadly this is the largest Christian gathering of the year with over 3 million gathered in one place. In Uganda, there is no larger Christian gathering. Could this be because the church is not answering the questions that Ugandans are asking? These are questions concerning illness, misfortune and fear of spirits.

If Jesus was to go to Namugongo, I believe he would only go to over turn tables and chase away the money changers. This is because Jesus is no longer the center of the celebration. It has been turned into a big festive party instead of a worship service. At Africa Renewal University where leaders are trained for the transformation of society, we believe that Christ must be the center of every thing we do. Let him who has ears hear.