The Chief of Defense Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has called for the immediate removal of street preachers from public spaces.
In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Gen Muhoozi popularly known as “MK” by his supporters directed the Uganda Police to take swift action against what he described as a growing public nuisance.
“Uganda Police should immediately REMOVE all the fake preachers who yell at commuters (with microphones) every day as they travel to work and home. This MUST HAPPEN immediately!!” he wrote.
According to Gen Muhoozi, these preachers frequently use loudspeakers to address passersby, disrupting the peace of those commuting to and from work.
He emphasized that this practice should be stopped without delay.
The directive has triggered mixed reactions across social media. Supporters of Gen Muhoozi argue that the street preaching is disruptive, excessively noisy, and contributes little to public order. They believe the practice causes unnecessary inconvenience and should be addressed by authorities.
On the other hand, critics have pushed back, defending the preachers’ right to freedom of expression and religious practice. They argue that these individuals are simply sharing their faith and should not be silenced.
The issue of street preaching has become increasingly divisive, particularly as many of those involved are young people, some of whom hold university degrees but choose preaching over traditional employment during working hours.
While the proposal by Gen Muhoozi has found support among those frustrated by the noise, it has also reignited broader conversations around free speech, religion, and youth unemployment in Uganda.
