By Ben Musanje
A Born-Again pastor at Mityana Miracle Centre, Johnstone Makumbi, has publicly responded to remarks attributed to the Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga, over the worship style of Balokole Christians, defending loud and expressive praise as biblically grounded.
Speaking in a video circulating on TikTok, Bishop Makumbi played a clip of the Katikkiro before criticizing what he described as misunderstandings about Pentecostal worship practices, especially the tendency of believers to shout during prayer and praise.
Makumbi argued that different faith traditions express worship in distinct ways, citing examples from Catholic, Muslim, and Seventh-day Adventist practices, and insisting that Pentecostal worship encourages emotional and vocal expression before God.
He referenced Isaiah 58:1, “Shout it aloud, do not hold back,” and Luke 19:40, where Jesus says that if disciples remain silent, “the stones will cry out,” to support his position that loud worship is scripturally justified.
The pastor further said that criticism of “noise” in worship overlooks the diversity of religious expression, comparing it to celebrations in churches, mosques, and even secular music events, which he said are all accepted within their own contexts.
While maintaining respect for the Katikkiro, Makumbi stressed that no individual or authority should dictate how believers express themselves in worship, adding that Balokole Christians follow biblical guidance rather than human opinion.
He concluded by saying that worship should not be mistaken for disorder, but rather understood as spiritual expression, and urged tolerance among different faith groups.
Social media users engaging with the clip expressed mixed reactions, with some supporting the pastor’s defense of expressive worship while others argued that public criticism of cultural and religious leaders should be handled more cautiously.
The discussion, which spread widely on TikTok and other platforms, reflects ongoing debates in Uganda about the boundaries between religious expression, cultural respect, and public leadership commentary. Observers note that Pentecostal movements in the country have often faced criticism for loud worship styles, while adherents maintain that such practices are rooted in biblical precedent and personal spiritual experience. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
