Over the weekend, Pastor Aloysius Niyonzima, widely known as Pastor Bugingo of House of Prayer Ministries, surprised his followers by introducing a controversial new practice during a church service. He displayed bottles of popular soft drinks—Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta, Riham, and Novida—claiming that he would bless the contents, which he referred to as “holy soda.” According to Bugingo, the blessed drinks would bring miracles to those who consumed them, guaranteeing prosperity and even a place in heaven.
Some of the congregation members were seen fervently engaging with the “holy soda,” speaking with the Holy Spirit as they consumed the drinks in their seats. Each bottle was priced at UGX 50,000, with promises that drinking it would not only bring divine favor but also multiply business profits.
The practice has sparked significant controversy. Hon. Winnie Byanyima, a prominent human rights advocate and Executive Director of UNAIDS, has called on Ugandan authorities to investigate Pastor Bugingo for exploiting his followers. Byanyima expressed her concerns in a social media post, accusing Bugingo of scamming his congregation by selling the soda under false claims of divine power.
Byanyima’s post read: “Pastor Bugingo is scamming people. Police should look into this.”
The incident has raised serious ethical questions regarding the commercialization of faith and exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking divine intervention.
The police have yet to comment on the matter, but the outcry from human rights groups and concerned citizens is growing. As the investigation unfolds, many are questioning the broader implications for religious practices and the accountability of religious leaders in Uganda.
