By Ben MusanjeVictoria University Vice Chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga and former NTV journalist Andrew Kyamagero have weighed in on the growing controversy surrounding Phaneroo Ministries lead pastor Apostle Grace Lubega, defending his record of community service and questioning criticism directed at him over his engagement with the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).Their interventions come amid mounting criticism of Lubega on social media, including from members of his own congregation, following his participation in a breakfast meeting between Born-again church leaders and senior PLU officials at Serena Kigo Hotel on Friday, November 6, 2026.One of the most striking reactions came from Norah Kobusingye, a Phaneroo Ministry congregant, who took to X to express disappointment over Lubega’s remarks at the meeting, describing herself as heartbroken by what she heard from her spiritual leader.Kobusingye said she initially assumed Lubega’s attendance at the meeting was consistent with his teachings about spiritual powers and principalities. However, after listening to his submission, she said her disappointment deepened.She particularly questioned his reported assertion that PLU was not known to be an abusive and subversive party, arguing that young people in the congregation were aware of videos and reports showing alleged abductions involving men in military uniforms.“Papa, you know that the young people in your church are informed and intelligent. They have phones. They see the videos of abductions involving men in military uniforms acting under the authority of the very people you were praising,” she wrote.Kobusingye also questioned Lubega’s decision to raise comments allegedly made by political critic Frank Gashumba about Phaneroo before PLU leaders, saying his submission appeared to seek action against the individual.She contrasted this with the pastor’s teachings that believers should allow God to fight their battles.In an emotional appeal, she said Lubega had hurt thousands of young people within the ministry, including those who might never publicly express their disappointment.“We forgive you. We will still come to church, sit in our usual seats, worship God and listen to your sermons. But Papa, forgiveness does not mean we were not hurt. And remaining in church does not mean we agree with everything you said,” Kobusingye wrote.Her statement has added another dimension to the controversy, suggesting that the debate is not simply between Lubega and his external critics but also involves questions of trust, accountability and expectations within his own congregation.Muganga: Look at what Grace Lubega has doneAmid the growing criticism, Dr. Muganga has urged Ugandans to consider Lubega’s contribution to society before passing judgment on him.“Before you judge a man, look at what he has done,” Muganga said, describing Lubega as a leader whose work he had witnessed firsthand.Muganga highlighted what he described as Phaneroo Ministries’ extensive humanitarian and community development programmes, particularly in education, prison outreach, healthcare and youth empowerment.He said the ministry supports disadvantaged students by paying their tuition, giving young people who might otherwise miss out on education an opportunity to pursue their academic ambitions.He also cited weekly prison visits, where inmates receive prayers, encouragement and messages of hope, as well as programmes supporting street children with food and access to education.According to Muganga, Phaneroo also delivers food and essential supplies to vulnerable families in Karamoja, organises medical camps, supports orphanages and schools, and equips young people with skills, including technology.He further pointed to assistance extended to pastors from other churches, arguing that Lubega’s work demonstrates a commitment to serving communities without necessarily seeking government funding or public recognition.Quoting Matthew 6:3, Muganga likened the ministry’s approach to the biblical teaching of giving quietly without seeking public praise.He urged critics to acknowledge the lives touched by the ministry’s interventions and avoid allowing disagreements over political engagement to overshadow its humanitarian work.“Let us choose respect. Let us choose peace. Let us learn to disagree without being disrespectful, question without being malicious, and criticise without overlooking the good,” Muganga said.Kyamagero: Presence does not mean allegianceFormer NTV journalist Andrew Kyamagero also entered the debate, questioning why Lubega’s attendance at a PLU meeting had become grounds for criticism.Kyamagero argued that a religious leader’s presence at a political gathering should not automatically be interpreted as endorsement of the organisation or its activities.Drawing parallels from biblical history, he cited prophets who confronted kings, Nathan’s engagement with David and Daniel’s service in the Babylonian administration.“We must distinguish access from allegiance, engagement from endorsement, and presence from political submission,” Kyamagero said.He maintained that pastors are citizens with constitutional freedoms and should be allowed to participate in conversations shaping the country’s future without being accused of surrendering their spiritual independence.He further argued that it would be contradictory for society to demand that religious leaders influence national affairs while condemning them for entering spaces where those affairs are discussed.Kyamagero challenged critics to examine the substance of Lubega’s engagement, the independence of his voice and the consistency of his conduct.Lubega raises human rights concerns at PLU meetingThe controversy follows Lubega’s participation in the November 6 meeting, organised by PLU Secretary General Fadhil Twaha, which brought together prominent Born-again church leaders and senior PLU officials.The organisation is mobilising support for Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s anticipated 2031 presidential bid.During the meeting, Lubega challenged PLU officials over persistent reports of abductions and illegal detentions, warning that the incidents were making it increasingly difficult for religious leaders to defend their association with the organisation.He said church leaders were facing difficult questions from their congregations because some of those reportedly affected were members of their churches.“Justice and fair trial are not just legal concepts with us… there have been persistent reports of abductions, safe houses, citizens being scooped from the streets by drone vans. That represents a big moral wound,” Lubega said.He clarified that religious leaders were not seeking to shield anyone who had committed wrongdoing from accountability but wanted explanations about the treatment of citizens.“We are not against holding accountable those who have done wrong; but you must come up with an answer for us to know how to answer those people — our church members — when they ask us why we see these things and say nothing,” he said.Lubega warned that continued reports of abductions could undermine the credibility of religious leaders who publicly associate with PLU.Phaneroo members’ cases add another dimensionThe concerns come against the backdrop of reported incidents involving two people identified as members of Phaneroo Ministries: human rights activist and lawyer Praise Aloikin Opoloje and her friend Louis Ninsiima.Opoloje, 27, was arrested on September 26, 2026, after reporting to Namungoona Police Station over a complaint involving a missing carpet.She was reportedly taken away by armed security personnel shortly after arriving at the station.Her arrest followed a video in which she criticised Gen Kainerugaba and PLU leadership over alleged human rights violations and the treatment of government critics.On September 28, she appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, where prosecutors charged her with unlawfully using a SIM card registered in another person’s name.The reported abduction of Ninsiima has further heightened concerns surrounding the safety of individuals associated with the ministry.A church divided over political engagement?The reactions from Kobusingye, Muganga and Kyamagero illustrate the different perspectives emerging from the controversy.While Kobusingye’s statement reflects disappointment among at least some members of the congregation, Muganga has emphasised Lubega’s humanitarian contributions, and Kyamagero has defended the right of religious leaders to engage political institutions without automatically being viewed as political supporters.Lubega’s own remarks at the PLU meeting, meanwhile, highlight the difficult position religious leaders occupy when their political engagements intersect with concerns about justice, accountability and human rights.At the centre of the debate is a question that extends beyond Phaneroo Ministries: Can a religious leader engage those in power, challenge them on contentious issues and still retain the confidence of a congregation that expects moral consistency?For Lubega, the growing debate presents a test of how religious leadership, political engagement and accountability can coexist in an increasingly contested public space. 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