Tororo District has in recent years witnessed a sharp rise in the number of Born-Again churches, growing from just a handful to hundreds, with many established only a few meters apart.
The surge coincides with the graduation of numerous Bible school trainees tasked with spreading the Gospel. However, as the number of churches rises, concerns are growing among residents who allege that some ministries are shifting focus from preaching the Word of God to pursuing financial gain.
These allegations have now drawn the attention of security authorities.
Speaking at the graduation of over 40 Bible school trainees at Pentecostal Outreach Ministries, Tororo Assistant Resident District Commissioner Julius Oketcho described the practice as widespread.
He cautioned religious leaders against coercing believers into giving money, urging them to rely on genuine faith and sound preaching to inspire voluntary contributions.
The district’s Born-Again church leadership has also acknowledged the concern. Veteran cleric Bishop Girando Olukol, who has served since 1968 and currently oversees Born-Again churches in the area, admitted that such practices exist, describing them as a moral failing that must be addressed from within the church.
Addressing the newly graduated preachers, Bishop Olukol and other religious leaders called for an end to exploitative tendencies within churches. They warned that such practices risk deepening poverty in the sub-region and eroding public trust in religious institutions.
Other clerics, including Bishop Jackson Owori, echoed similar sentiments, urging newly ordained preachers to prioritize spiritual guidance over financial interests.
The developments highlight growing scrutiny of religious institutions in Tororo, as authorities and church leaders push for accountability and a return to core spiritual values.