Ugandans call out Apostle Grace Lubega for urging people to drop their cultural names

A video of Apostle Grace Lubega from Phaneroo Ministries has sparked a wave of reactions on social media and in various circles after he urged people to abandon their cultural names, particularly those from Buganda.

During one of his sermons, Apostle Lubega claimed that certain Buganda names, such as "Ndawula" and "Nandawula," are tied to spirits of sudden disease and death.

He stated, "In Buganda, we have names like Ndawula, Nandawula, those are names of spirits of sudden disease and death. People with such names fall sick for two, three, four days, and they die.

They don't live long. It's very hard to find a 90-year-old Ndawula, not impossible, but very hard. And all of them die sudden deaths because every time they are called, something wakes up and says, ‘I have a responsibility.’ Is he not rightly named?"

The sermon quickly went viral, and many Ugandans took to social media to criticize Apostle Lubega's remarks. The key point of contention was the suggestion that cultural names are linked to misfortune, and by extension, that one's identity and heritage should be abandoned after embracing Christianity.

Several critics took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their disapproval. One user, Kalaki Brian, pointed out the historical roots of the name “Grace” itself, which Apostle Lubega bears.

He wrote, "Dear Apostle Grace Lubega, your ignorance should have boundaries. The name Grace is originally a Latin name for the three charities to the three goddesses of charm, beauty, and creativity. Christianity adopted it from Latin.

Why weren't your ancestors called Grace before colonisers?"

The controversy has opened up a broader discussion about the significance of names in Ugandan culture.

For many, a name is more than just a label—it's a representation of one's heritage, lineage, and connection to their ancestors.

Many Ugandans see their names as a source of pride, linking them to their tribes, families, and history.

Questions are now being raised about whether adopting Christianity means abandoning cultural heritage.

As one user wrote, "Should being born again in Christ turn us away from who we are? Our names are our culture, our heritage, our identity, the very fiber of who we are."

This ongoing debate underscores the tension between religious beliefs and cultural preservation, particularly in post-colonial African societies like Uganda.

While many Ugandans have embraced Christianity, there's a growing sentiment that faith should not require the rejection of one's cultural roots.

As discussions continue, many are calling for a more nuanced approach that allows for the integration of faith and cultural identity, without sacrificing one for the other.