Makerere University administrators have rejected a request to allocate space for a church for born-again Christians on campus.
While the institution accommodates three mainstream religions—Muslims, Catholics, and Anglicans—university authorities have declined to extend recognition to the born-again denomination.
The dispute was sparked by Pastor Martin Ssempa, a prominent figure leading prayers for students identifying as born-again Christians. Pastor Ssempa took the matter to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), asserting that the University’s refusal to acknowledge and formalize their church amounts to religious discrimination.
In his petition, Pastor Ssempa implored the EOC to intervene, advocating for equal treatment of born-again Christians within the university setting. He specifically called for Makerere University to allocate space for the construction of a born-again church and a residence for the Chaplain.
Recent reports suggest that the EOC convened a meeting involving Makerere University administrators last week. During this meeting, the EOC urged university representatives to engage in mediation with Pastor Ssempa, aiming to address the allegations of discrimination and marginalization of the born-again faith within the campus. The directive stipulates that both parties should work towards reaching resolutions within the next 60 days.