A heated public confrontation between media personality and socio-political commentator Frank Gashumba and sections of Uganda’s evangelical pastors continues to dominate national conversation.

Gashumba first issued a challenge offering Shs200 million — later raised to Shs500 million — to any pastor, prophet or apostle who could demonstrate miraculous healing of a critically ill patient inside a major hospital such as Mulago, Nsambya or Mengo under verifiable conditions. He accused some religious leaders of exploiting poor believers in the name of Jesus and claimed that 97 per cent of pastors are fake.

“I am ready to get saved today,” Gashumba declared. “I stake Shs500 million. Let them go to the ICU and make a critically ill person get healed instantly, stand up and walk.”

The remarks triggered strong reactions. Pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre Cathedral rejected the challenge and later escalated the dispute during a mid-week service. He accused Gashumba of attacking everything and everyone, including the Katikkiro of Buganda and the President, and issued a stark warning: “Because you have ridiculed the blood of Jesus and you attacked God’s people, your own blood will kill you… Like they did Gaddafi, they will.”

Gashumba has maintained that he is not attacking Christianity or God, but targeting what he describes as commercialised miracle preaching. He further inflamed tensions by stating that “one Catholic priest is worth more than 1,000 pastors,” arguing that Catholic priests undergo years of formal training.

The dispute has now drawn in the next generation. Sheila Gashumba clashed on social media with Robert Kayanja Jr after he questioned her influence on young people. She reminded him that his family had previously sought her help to promote a clothing brand.

Public opinion remains sharply divided. Some Ugandans support Gashumba’s demand for accountability and verifiable claims, while others view his approach as disrespectful to faith and religious leaders. The debate continues to rage across radio, television and social media platforms.