Leaders across different denominations have criticised government plans to ensure churches and other 'Faith Based Organisations' are registered, a Vatican news agency is reporting.
His Exc Msgr John Baptist Kauta, Secretary General of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, was quoted by Agenzia Fides as saying: "If what we are doing is good, then why should we be registered? Why should a faith that has been in existence for centuries need an operation license?"
Msgr Kauta also reportedly branded the government initiative suspicious and called for scrutiny to check the intentions behind the policy.
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Revd Canon Aaron Mwesigye, the director of religious affairs in the President's Office, however, told Fides the aim of the measure was to support the 'mediation and arbitration of religious disputes in the country, help in fighting corruption, increase relationship between government and FBOs'.
Speaking about the government, Bishop Macleord Baker Ochola, a member of the Acholi Religious Leaders Peace Initiative (ARLPI) in Uganda, said: "Why should a child tell a father how to lead a family?
"We have been here for decades. What is the logic behind registering well known religions?".