Prophet Samuel Kakande is a name that stirs both reverence and controversy in Uganda’s religious landscape.
From modest beginnings in Central Uganda to the helm of one of the country’s most talked-about churches, Kakande has carved out a reputation as a spiritual leader, businessman, and miracle worker—at least in the eyes of his followers.
As senior pastor of the Synagogue Church of All Nations Uganda, located at Mulago Kubiri in Kampala, Kakande commands a loyal following. The church draws crowds from across East and Central Africa, many seeking healing, spiritual deliverance, or economic breakthrough.
But with fame has come intense scrutiny.
A Path to the Pulpit
Born in 1969, Kakande grew up in a Christian household and trained as a carpenter before transitioning into sales in neighbouring Tanzania. His path to the pulpit began with frequent visits to revival meetings and churches, culminating in his takeover of the Synagogue Church in the early 2000s.
He succeeded Ghanaian prophet John Obiri Yeboah, who founded the Ugandan arm of the church in 1978. Under Kakande, the church expanded rapidly, drawing followers with dramatic healing sessions, “Holy Rice” sold at 50,000 Ugandan shillings per pack, and “Living Water” said to contain divine healing power.
Lavish Life, Contested Miracles
Kakande is no ordinary preacher. A businessman and large-scale farmer, he claims interests in agriculture, gold, and diamond mining. His lifestyle is marked by luxury vehicles and multimillion-shilling weddings.
Estimates place his net worth at over $1.75 million, though this figure is unverifiable and not backed by global wealth trackers like Forbes.
He spends a portion of his earnings on church expansion and philanthropic causes, including food donations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet critics accuse him of profiting from the desperation of the poor and sick.
A Turbulent Private Life
The prophet’s personal life has been the subject of tabloid headlines and public gossip for decades. Kakande has been married five times, with each relationship ending in separation.
In a 2020 interview with Uganda’s New Vision, he defended the serial marriages: “If I didn’t believe in monogamy, I would now have five wives… If you get a misunderstanding with your partner, it is better to separate and marry another than fight and kill each other.”
He added, “Some problems have solutions. The first thing couples should do is pray. But it’s like taking a patient to hospital—he may die or be cured.”
Accusations and Legal Battles
Kakande’s ministry has faced persistent accusations—from allegations of witchcraft and staged miracles, to legal issues around land use and environmental degradation.
In 2017, reports emerged that Kakande had been admitted to a mental health facility after what was described as a psychological breakdown. Some of his critics claimed it followed the death of a mysterious snake alleged to be a source of his power.
More recently, his company Aqua World Uganda Ltd was investigated for illegal sand mining in the Lwera wetlands. The activity, officials said, had serious environmental consequences, and his land titles were revoked in 2018.
Rejected by Mainstream Churches
Kakande is not a member of any official Pentecostal fellowship in Uganda. He was rejected by the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches in 2006 for failing to meet the code of conduct required of spiritual leaders.
Pastor Solomon Male, a prominent critic of Uganda’s “miracle churches”, accuses Kakande of “spiritual manipulation” and exploiting vulnerable followers. Others, including Pastor Jackson Senyonga, have linked Kakande to occult practices—a charge he denies.
In response, Kakande once cited the Gospel of John: “Many said of Jesus, ‘He has a demon and is mad.’ Others asked, ‘Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?’”
Political Endorsement—and Caution
The Ugandan government has not been blind to Kakande’s influence. In 2024, President Yoweri Museveni publicly praised the new church building but issued a clear warning: the state will now scrutinise claims of faith healing, especially where money is involved.
“Religious freedom is guaranteed,” the president said. “But if you’re selling healing water, then it’s a business — and the government must ensure it is not harmful or exploitative.”
He cited cases where religious leaders discouraged followers from seeking medical care, a practice he labelled dangerous. “If you say, ‘Don’t go to the hospital, I will cure you,’ and then someone dies — that’s a problem.”
Kakande maintains his ministry provides hope and healing where government support may fall short. He has also made gestures of philanthropy — such as donating maize flour and cash to communities during the COVID-19 lockdown — though critics argue his wealth comes at the cost of the very poor he claims to help.
A Monument to Faith and Power
The newly built Temple Mount Church of All Nations, completed in 2024, stands as a monument to Prophet Kakande’s vision. With a capacity of up to 30,000 worshippers, it includes restaurants, hotel rooms, and even a shopping centre.
Kakande claims the church receives 800 to 1,000 visitors each week from countries like Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa—bolstering Uganda’s reputation as a hub for religious tourism.
“Despite what they say,” he told the congregation, “what happens here is salvation, active healing, deliverance, and all of God’s blessings.”
Still standing
Despite the criticism, legal battles, and split public opinion, Prophet Samuel Kakande remains a force in Ugandan religious life. His followers continue to pack the church. His influence, both spiritual and financial, endures.
To some, he is a healer, a teacher, and a man of extraordinary gifts. To others, he is a shrewd operator—symbolic of the blurred lines between faith, commerce and power in modern-day Uganda.
What cannot be denied is that Samuel Kakande has left an indelible mark on the country’s religious landscape. Whether revered or reviled, he is impossible to ignore.
