The shutdown, according to Ssempa, was ordered by Vice Chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, who allegedly described the church as "illegitimate and unacceptable."
Ssempa lamented the decision, noting its impact on thousands of students served through the church’s Prime Time fellowship program over the years.
“This is after we had served thousands of students through @PrimeTimeMAK over the 25 years. Prime Time is also now no more!” he said.
Despite earlier discussions in April 2024 about securing land for the church, Sempa claimed the promises made during the negotiations were “false.”
He called the closure a “blatant violation of our freedom of worship rights,” emphasizing the importance of the Born Again community, which represents 14.5% of Uganda’s population.
A long-time member of Pastor Ssempa's church has intimated to this publication that at the centre of his pastor's claims are that Makerere has special places for Catholic and Anglican Christians as well as a fully-fledged mosque with a semi-private land.
"But Born-Again Christians do not have the same privilege and that is what we want to correct," the source said on condition of anonymity.
Ssempa alleged that the church’s closure is part of a broader agenda at Makerere University, accusing its leadership of prioritizing external interests over the well-being of its community.
“Churches which preach against homosexuality are suspended as western LGBTQ donors are welcomed,” he remarked.
The pastor also highlighted other systemic issues within the university, including alleged neglect of student welfare and the continued operation of 147 unaccredited courses.
“Hungry students are arrested and suspended,” Ssempa said, further criticizing what he described as the commercialization of Makerere University. “Our poor people can't afford it,” he added.
Ssempa revealed that he has petitioned the Equal Opportunities Court to intervene and ensure the church is reopened.
He also called for public action, urging Vice Chancellor Nawangwe to resign.
“Please pray that Prof. Nawangwe will give us a Christmas gift resigning from @Makerere,” Sempa stated, calling the Vice Chancellor “Anti-Christ” and suggesting he would be better suited to managing a private secondary school.
The Nile Post understands Ssempa's Makerere Community Church suspended operations during Covi-19 pandemic but it never reopened.
While it was active, the church ran weekly Prime Time sessions through which Pastor Ssempa imparted morals in the university student community.
The niversity spokesperson Rita Namisango declined to comment on the matter but Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe said the issue was being handled by the Equal Opportunities Commission.
The situation remains tense, with Pastor Ssempa urging the public to advocate for the restoration of religious freedoms at the institution.