By Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting From Kampala
KAMPALA, Uganda — In a heartfelt plea that underscores the challenges of missionary work in East Africa, the Country Coordinator of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Uganda has revealed that a 50-acre piece of church land purchased over 15 years ago remains unsecured and faces serious encroachment.
Pastor Mrs Monye-Akinshipe
Pastor Mrs. Olubunmi Olushola Monye-Akinshipe, who leads the RCCG family in Uganda, disclosed the predicament during an exclusive interview with Stonix News on Monday, March 2, at RCCG Victory Centre along Kisugu Road in Namuwongo, Kampala.
“There is a 50-acre piece of land that the RCCG bought over 15 years ago,” Pastor Mrs. Monye-Akinshipe told Stonix News. “There is serious encroachment on it, and we have not been able to secure ownership.”
The land dispute traces back to an unfortunate timing issue shortly after the purchase. According to the Country Coordinator, the landowner passed away soon after the transaction was concluded, preventing the church from immediately pursuing formal title documentation.
“When we approached his son about the matter, he advised us to take it to court,” she explained. “But the Redeemed Christian Church of God does not typically drag matters through the courts.”
This principled stance against litigation, rooted in biblical teachings about Christian conduct, has placed the church in a difficult position as encroachers continue to move onto the property.
Pastor Mrs. Monye-Akinshipe shared a personal parallel from her own experience in Uganda, revealing the potential complexity of land disputes in the country.
“Something similar happened to me personally, and it took 13 years of going in and out of court,” she recounted. “We were only saved because we had used a law firm to finalise the original agreement.”
Her testimony underscores the critical importance of proper legal documentation in Uganda’s land market, where disputes can drag on for years and threaten investments.
The revelation comes amid broader concerns about land security in Uganda. Recent reports highlight ongoing land disputes across the country, including a separate incident in Muyenga where senior government officials and police officers faced scrutiny over an alleged illegal eviction .
In that case, a matrimonial property dispute led to forceful eviction despite court directives, raising serious questions about land rights enforcement.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s judiciary has been making efforts to address land case backlogs. The Court of Appeal in Kampala recently launched intensive sessions to hear 76 civil appeals, including numerous land and trespass disputes, as part of a strategy to accelerate case disposal and enhance access to justice . Deputy Registrar HW Natukunda Janeva confirmed that land matters feature prominently among the cases being addressed .
Despite these judicial reforms, Pastor Mrs. Monye-Akinshipe ‘Soul appeal is not merely for legal resolution but for spiritual and practical support from the broader RCCG family.
In her final message to the RCCG community in Nigeria, the Country Coordinator framed the land challenge within the larger context of missionary work.
“I want to encourage my brothers and sisters that there is power in unity,” she said. “This mission field is a warzone; we are fighting unseen forces, and it takes a toll on you. Any other thing aside from this is a distraction.”
She expressed concern that the challenges on the field, combined with limited resources, have dampened the evangelistic fervour that once characterised the church’s outreach.
Pastor Mrs Monye-Akinshipe receiving a gift from Pastor Emmanuel Orimogunje on behalf of RCCG Victory Centre Kisugu Road Namuwongo Kampala Uganda in February
“The aggression with which we used to go out for Jesus has calmed down due to these challenges and limited resources,” Pastor Mrs. Monye-Akinshipe admitted. “You may have ideas, but not the finances to execute them.”
Her solution lies in collective action and unwavering support from the home base.
“But if we can unite and speak with one voice, every other thing will become secondary,” she asserted.
The Coordinator expressed deep appreciation for the support already received from Nigeria, acknowledging contributions from the Father-in-Lord and various provincial pastors who have visited Uganda to assist.
However, her appeal was direct and urgent: “Please, don’t leave us alone. RCCG in Uganda is your investment. We know things are not easy, but we will take you along with us.”
The 50-acre land predicament represents both a practical challenge to the church’s expansion in Uganda and a spiritual test of patience and faith.
As encroachment continues and legal complexities mount, the RCCG Uganda leadership finds itself navigating the delicate balance between defending its legitimate property interests and maintaining its biblical witness.
For now, the church waits, prays, and appeals for help, hoping that the unity of the body of Christ will ultimately prevail over the forces that threaten to dispossess them of their 15-year-old investment in God’s work in Uganda.
