4 convicted pastors serve in hospitals

Kampala

They make a living out of cautioning their followers to live morally upright lives. And they do it in style, in the comfort of their own churches to bring their followers closer to God, often reminding them of the reward that is heaven.

The past week has, however, not been the best for four of Kampala’s top evangelical pastors. Instead of doing their pastoral work, they have found themselves publicly punished for their earthly discretions. The tables have been turned.

Pastors Martin Ssempa, Solomon Male, Robert Kayiira and Michael Kyazze and some of their followers, Ms Deborah Anita Kyomuhendo and Mr David Mukalazi, have been sent to various city hospitals to do community work after being found guilty of maligning another cleric.

Buganda Road Grade I Magistrate Julius Borore fined them Shs1m each and also sentenced them to 100 hours of community service. They were found guilty of conspiracy to tarnish the name of Pastor Robert Kayanja of Rubaga Miracle Centre. The six alleged that the Rev Kayanja had sodomised boys in his church.

Mulago Hospital’s splendid Mwana Mugimu Ward, is where Pastors Solomon Male and David Mukalazi have been doing their work since they were convicted in the high-profile trial. “I am enjoying this work because it is in my line of duty. Talking to the hurt community is a perfect environment for me,” Pastor Male told the Daily Monitor. He has been spending eight hours counseling and praying for mothers and their children, and this will be his routine for the next two weeks.

Uncomfortable
But Pastor Mukalazi seemed uncomfortable. He said it wasn’t easy for him as he was convinced that he was innocent. He said he found his first day in the children’s ward rather traumatising. “I was a bit scared and held onto Pastor Male, but he told me to remain strong and composed. He challenged me to work as though this were God’s calling.”

During the first week, they were assigned to work at the customer care centre.
Mulago Hospital Spokesperson Enock Kusasira and their supervisor, Ms Faith Karamagi, said the two men of the cloth had done a great job since their arrival. “We gave them orientation for a day and put them to work at the desk. Their assignment was to direct patients and advise them on where to find various services and they did it perfectly well,” Mr Kusasira said.

The supervisor will send a report to the commissioner in-charge of community service in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. At Naguru Hospital, Pastors Kyazze and Kaira spend half of their day serving patients. They work from 8am to 1pm and are supervised by the administration officials.

Though they declined to comment, it was confirmed that they were also doing community service. But while some have easily taken up their punishment, Pastor Ssempa was said to be still in shock over the conviction and sentencing. He reportedly had not started the duties Pastor Male’s advice was that he should have, so that he could complete the sentence with his fellow convicts. But reached by the Daily Monitor, the Rev Ssempa said: “I do not feel I deserve the punishment, as I am innocent.”

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