MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine | Preacher Francis H. Kwezi
Preacher Francis H. Kwezi has been known for spreading the gospel in various regions across Uganda, and has used his social media accounts most especially for evangelism.
It came as a shock to his followers recently when he took to his Facebook account to talk politics, later striping himself of his Pastoral title.
Francis Kwezi said that Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine is not “presidential material” and that behind him “is a mess.”
In a post on 19 October, Kwezi asked his audience: “Can you allow this character to be your next President? Guys, be real.”
Before joining mainstream politics, Kyagulanyi often posed for pictures while smoking marijuana. Francis Kwezi attached some of these photos to his post, as he made efforts to prove his point.
“How would you like such to be a role model of your children? [A] Presidential office [carries] more than power, authority and cheap popularity. It digs out your closet, you become exemplary sniffed. But behind Bobi, is a mess,” he wrote.
“I have yet to condemn Bobi, his a good man. But that goodness is not what am looking at, his yet to prove himself to run a country. His lacking in many corners. Beside, Bobi has heard the gospel many times to be preached to. His become immune to our preaching,” Kwezi said.
Several Church leaders were quick to weigh in, with the vast majority criticizing the preacher.
Bobi Wine, a pop star turned opposition figure officially announced taking on President Yoweri Museveni in the nation’s 2021 national elections just recently.
“I will challenge President Museveni on behalf of the people,” the 37-year-old said in an interview to the Associated Press news agency in July.
As the leader of a popular movement known as “People Power”, media reports show that Wine has captured the imagination of many who want to see the exit of Museveni, who has held power since 1986 and looks set to run for a new term.
In as much as he claimed he was not judging Bobi Wine, Christians and non Christians alike responded to Francis H. Kwezi’s remarks with concern, some accusing him of “character assassination,” and others “ignoring extraordinary grace.”
“I didn’t expect a man of God to say such… it doesn’t add up,” said Senior Pastor of Lifeline Ministries David Owot.
Outspoken Pentecostal Church leader Bishop Franklin Mondo Mugisha reserved his comments regarding the claims. Popular Christian media personality King Wesley did the same.
Pastor Frey E Warri of Fireplace Church, Waltham, Massachusetts said Kwezi’s remarks make the gospel he preaches “useless”, because “leaders are hand picked by God.”
“With this statement you have put out about Bobi Wine, it means folks should never listen to you preach because you have some bad past, or no preacher should even stand to preach because they have some bad past. Paul the Apostle, who was called Saul, who’s name was changed after Jesus hit him with his power on his way to Demascus, all his past was way ugly than any but he was responsible for almost half the Bible you read and use to preach my Francis H Kwezi,” he said.
“Your post makes the gospel you preach useless, because leaders are hand picked by God, not as men see. Prophetic words are about to come into fulfillment in Uganda, go back to preaching true word and believe what you preach don’t you be wishy washy because those who really know you will bring out your skeletons out of your closet my brother. God bless you with those few words,” he added.
“Can we judge you by your past and we see whether you’re a Saint. People change I guess you are not the way you used to be,” social media user under account name Trust Blessing said.
Another, Emmanuel Israel, observed: “I know one thing, a national leader/King is not and will never be chosen by emotions and self will. Based on my Bible I read, It’s God who chooses based on His plan He has over that Nation.”
“Balokole in Uganda we have missed it all by engaging into unproductive criticism other than Praying to God over our nation Uganda and for a better leader. In time history, Israel was deceived to think how a King would bring Ice cream on their tables something God warned them of and they turned on a deaf ear but later they tasted him. As for my self and my Uganda, like I have always done when it comes to our transition which is a very sensitive timing, I pour my heart on my knees,” he said.
Apostle George Melden Mangeni of Gospel Commission Ministries International said “in politics never underestimate anyone.”
“President Moi was was underestimated by some Kenyan because of his education background but he managed to rule Kenyan intellectuals for 24 years,” he said.
In his defense, Kwezi noted, “I posted it as a concerned citizen of Uganda. Beside, am entitled to my opinions, don’t see why all nails are out. Didn’t say a word less or more than what the photos speak. Please forgive me, if I posted as a pastor, of which am not.”
There are some who fully supported the preacher. A case in point being (a one) Esther Asana Sserwadda who said: “I agree with you pastor. As long as Jesus is still on the throne, he will never.”
Meanwhile, MP Kyagulanyi on Sunday attended a church service at the True Worship Center Pentecostal Church in Jinja town. In his speech, he likened President Museveni to biblical Kings “who refused to hear the voice of God and received their due reward.”
Like President Museveni, Bobi Wine asserted, “King Pharaoh, King Ahab, King Nebuchadnezzar and King Saul who were at the height of their power thought they had the last word – until God proved to them that they were only mortal beings with blood and flesh.”
People power spokesman Joel Ssenyonyi said Church ought to be the salt and light of the world.
“Prophets in the bible used to speak truth to power and condemn injustice. Sadly, some of today’s church leaders get monetary benefits from the regime and they become silent about injustice, they only speak to heap praises on the regime,” he said.
