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The Assistant Resident District Commissioner for Tororo, Julius Oketcho, has cautioned religious leaders against demanding money and sexually abusing followers, stating that these actions damage the credibility of the clergy.

On Saturday, during the graduation ceremony for 45 pastors at Fellowship Bible School Tororo, which is part of Pentecostal Outreach Ministries International, Oketcho stated that certain religious leaders were turning spiritual services into commercial ventures and taking advantage of their followers.

He mentioned he had been informed about churches establishing set offertory and tithing guidelines, and discouraging minor donations like coins.

“We are aware that you do not receive any compensation, and it is the believers who are meant to take care of your well-being, but this should not serve as a reason to pressure them. Rather, wait for what they can offer you as their spiritual guide,” he stated.

Oketcho also expressed worry about claims that certain pastors are involved in romantic relationships with female church members, cautioning that this behavior endangers lives, potentially leading to HIV exposure.

He called on religious leaders to concentrate not solely on spiritual recovery but also to inspire followers to participate in activities that produce income, thereby enhancing family well-being and aiding the growth of the church.

The RDC praised the Ministry for educating pastors in Scripture and theological studies, noting that it would aid in enhancing theological comprehension and encourage accuracy in sermons.

He also warned graduates not to take advantage of vulnerable followers and encouraged them to maintain ethical standards in their religious work.

The head of Fellowship Bible School in Tororo, who also serves as the senior pastor of Pentecostal Outreach Ministries International, Dr. Girado Olukol, urged the graduates to maintain integrity, humility, and a spirit of service.

He cautioned them against ethical concessions, stating that the world “is in great need of truth, hope, and service.”

“As Christ stated in Matthew 9:37, ‘the harvest is abundant but the workers are few,’ therefore go and baptize followers from every nation,” he said.

Dr. Olukol also advised graduates against participating in partisan politics, noting that their education had prepared them for ministerial roles.

One of the graduates, Asianut Aelol, who earned a certificate in Bible and Theology, mentioned that the program was life-changing, providing not just preaching abilities but also lessons in honesty and dedication.

“The university has been far more than merely a site of change, as we were not only instructed in preaching and teaching but also in living with honesty, humility, and dedication,” she stated.