A fresh storm has erupted around House of Prayer Ministries leader Pastor Aloysius Bugingo after comments he made during a June 12 broadcast on Salt TV left viewers divided and social media buzzing.
Speaking during the program, Bugingo stunned many when he declared that if he found money inside his garden, he would consider it his property and would not hand it over to authorities.
The controversial preacher argued that as the person responsible for managing the land, anything discovered there would belong to him. He drew a distinction between money accidentally deposited into a bank account which he said should be reported and cash found within his compound.
Bugingo went even further, suggesting that such a discovery could be viewed as a miracle or blessing rather than lost property.
The remarks quickly triggered backlash from sections of the public, religious leaders, academics, and social commentators who questioned the moral message being sent by one of Uganda’s most influential pastors.
Among the strongest critics was Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, who reportedly described the comments as troubling at a time when the country is already battling concerns over integrity and public ethics.
Dr. Kenneth Omona Olusegun also weighed in, arguing that both biblical teachings and Ugandan law require individuals to make reasonable efforts to return lost property or report valuable items to the authorities.
Critics pointed to scripture encouraging believers to act honestly and help reunite owners with lost possessions rather than claiming them as personal blessings.
However, not everyone condemned Bugingo.
Some supporters defended the pastor, saying he was merely expressing a reality many people would secretly struggle with if placed in the same situation. Others argued that his comments reflected human temptation rather than a formal teaching encouraging wrongdoing.
Despite those defenses, the debate has continued to intensify online, with many Ugandans using the incident to highlight wider frustrations about corruption, accountability, and the role of moral leaders in shaping public values.
As reactions continue pouring in, Bugingo’s remarks have once again placed him at the center of a national conversation, one that stretches far beyond a garden and a bundle of cash, touching on deeper questions about honesty, leadership, and ethics in modern Uganda.