Jinja Pentecostal Leaders Moot One-Stop Centre to Empower Believers

Pentecostal leaders in Jinja have unveiled plans to establish a one-stop centre in Busoga to tackle economic and social challenges facing their congregations.

The facility will include a shopping centre, an elementary school, a tertiary institution, and a hospital, providing essential services while creating thousands of jobs.

The initiative was announced during the election of new leaders for the Jinja Christian Leaders Fellowship (JCLF), the umbrella body for Pentecostal churches in the region.

Bishop Fredrick Ojambo, the newly elected JCLF Chairperson, said the project is part of a broader strategy to restore the church’s integrity and empower believers financially.

"We are taking a bold step to strengthen the church’s role as a transformative force in the region. Many people are struggling, yet some have turned the church into a business. This initiative will ensure believers are economically empowered while upholding the true purpose of the church," he said.

Ojambo outlined an ambitious development plan for the Busoga sub-region, which is expected to generate over 10,000 direct jobs and 20,000 indirect jobs.

He stressed the need for reforms to counter financial exploitation in Pentecostal churches, where some leaders have been accused of prioritising personal gain over the well-being of their congregations.

Meanwhile, Samuel Magumba, the JCLF Electoral Commission Chairperson, called on the church to remain a unifying force amid rising political tensions.

He condemned human rights violations and urged church leaders to advocate for justice, referencing the recent torture of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in Kawempe.

Magumba reaffirmed the church’s commitment to fairness and accountability, calling on authorities to respect human rights and maintain a peaceful political climate.