Frank Gashumba has raised his financial challenge to Shs500 million for any Ugandan prophet, pastor or apostle willing to demonstrate their claimed healing powers on sick patients in a hospital.
Gashumba has been openly critical of some religious leaders in Uganda, particularly those he believes make claims about possessing special powers to heal people.
In September, he challenged what he described as “fake prophets, apostles, and pastors,” questioning why people who claim to possess supernatural healing powers do not use those abilities to help critically ill patients.
He has now increased his proposed stake from an earlier amount to Shs500 million.
“No single prophet, pastor, or apostle heals people. Doctors heal people. These pastors have just managed to successfully manipulate you,” Gashumba said.
Gashumba also pointed to churches operating around Mulago and questioned why people continue to die in hospital if certain religious leaders claim to have the ability to heal the sick.
His challenge comes with specific conditions. He said any interested religious leader should bring Shs100 million, with both sides placing their money in a neutral arrangement overseen by a mutually trusted lawyer before going to a hospital.
“Don’t bring a cheque; that’s an old newspaper. I want cash,” he said. “We shall get a neutral ground, a lawyer we can both trust, and we both stake our cash and head to any hospital. I have increased my stake to Shs500m. Let him come with his Shs100m.”
Gashumba has also urged Ugandans to be more cautious about religious organizations that he believes place excessive emphasis on money.
He encouraged people to develop a personal relationship with God rather than relying heavily on religious leaders.
“Wake up every morning, say a prayer, and go and hustle,” Gashumba said.
He further criticized what he described as churches operating like businesses and said he would rather use money he might otherwise give as tithe to help people in need.
“If I ever get to a point of giving it to a prophet to buy a G-wagon, let God take me,” he said.
Gashumba’s comments are part of his ongoing criticism of some Ugandan religious leaders. His Shs500 million proposal remains a challenge from him and does not establish whether any religious leader has accepted the terms.