Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), has weighed into the ongoing debate surrounding religion and church leaders in Uganda, declaring that the country allows freedom of worship but warning that Satanism is completely banned. His remarks come amid a public dispute between social commentator Frank Gashumba and several evangelical pastors over claims of fake miracles, alleged exploitation of believers and the role of religious leaders in society.

In a post shared on X, formerly Twitter, Muhoozi said Ugandans were free to practise their religions as long as they worshipped the Almighty God. However, he singled out Satanism, describing it as the worship of the devil and claiming that people involved in it would face lengthy prison sentences.

“In Uganda, there is freedom of religion. As long as you are worshipping the Creator, Almighty God. The only religion that is COMPLETELY banned in Uganda is Satanism. The worship of the devil. For that you will surely go to jail for a long time,” Muhoozi posted.

His statement comes at a time when Gashumba’s criticism of some evangelical pastors has sparked heated discussions across Uganda. Gashumba has challenged religious leaders who claim to perform miraculous healings, offering money to any pastor who can demonstrate the healing of seriously ill patients under verifiable conditions. He initially offered Shs200 million before increasing the amount to Shs500 million.

Gashumba has maintained that his criticism is directed at pastors he accuses of making false miracle claims and exploiting poor believers, rather than at God or Christianity itself. However, his comments have attracted strong reactions from several religious leaders, including Pastor Robert Kayanja and his son, Robert Kayanja Jr, who have defended their ministry and challenged aspects of Gashumba’s criticism. The disagreement has also drawn Sheilah Gashumba into the debate as she publicly defended her father.

The controversy attracted further attention when Muhoozi publicly stated that Gashumba would have to apologise to Christians. The army chief also distanced the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), which he leads, from the dispute with pastors, saying the organisation had no problem with religious leaders in the country. Muhoozi also expressed personal admiration for Pastor Kayanja and said he hoped to attend one of his church services in the future.

Muhoozi’s latest remarks shift attention to the wider question of religious freedom in Uganda and the limits of religious practice. His statement suggests that, in his view, worship should be respected but that certain practices he associates with Satanism should not be allowed. However, he did not identify a specific law in his post to support his claim that Satanism is completely banned or explain which activities would fall under that description.

Uganda’s Constitution protects freedom of thought, conscience and belief, including the right to practise and promote a religion, subject to the law. Any claim that a particular religion is prohibited therefore raises questions about the specific legal provisions involved and how they apply. Muhoozi’s statement alone does not establish the existence or scope of a blanket legal ban on Satanism.

As the disagreement between Gashumba and the pastors continues to generate public debate, Muhoozi’s intervention adds another dimension to the discussion about faith, religious leadership and accountability in Uganda. The debate has raised questions about how to address allegations of fraudulent religious practices while respecting genuine believers and protecting freedom of worship. For now, Muhoozi has made his position clear, but further clarification would be needed on the legal basis of his statement about Satanism.