Bishop of Yahweh Pentecostal Mission, Rev Joel Mukalo Asks President Museveni To Pardon His Church Members In Luzira

Rev. Joel Mukalo, the Bishop of Yahweh Pentecostal Mission, has appealed to President Museveni for the pardon of two followers, Mr Emmanuel Owiny and Mr Benedard Ogwang, currently on remand for alleged robbery and going armed in public. The charges stem from an incident where they purportedly attempted to obstruct court bailiffs enforcing a court order in Lango Sub-region.

The conflict traces back to 2015 when Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) Uganda, led by Bishop Peter Emyau, took the now-defunct PAG Lira (now Yahweh Pentecostal Mission) to court. The ruling, however, has sparked protests among Yahweh believers who contest its legitimacy.

The discord intensified following the termination of Lira Pastorate Bishop Mukalo’s services in 2013, believed to be the catalyst for the breakaway from PAG Uganda.

During the commissioning of Awake Pentecostal Church in Otuke District, Bishop Mukalo implored the President to pardon the detained followers, emphasizing their innocence. He lamented the arrests, torment, torture, and imprisonment of believers, highlighting that the conflict has affected numerous Christians.

Minister Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny, the state minister for Northern Uganda, provided reassurance to Yahweh believers, expressing confidence that the conflict, when aligned with the divine, will find resolution. She emphasized the overarching belief that all battles belong to the Lord.

Yahweh Pentecostal Mission, with a significant presence across districts including Lira, Amolatar, Otuke, Alebtong, Dokolo, Kole, Kwania, and Apac, boasts a membership exceeding 300,000, predominantly composed of women and children.