Have you been keeping up with the news? Pastor Zane Mugabi has been fired! He has been youth pastor at Watoto Church for at least the last seven years. But just last Sunday, the church announced his dismissal from the ministry over allegations of sexual misconduct. Let me be clear: the purpose of this article is not to endorse everything that Watoto believes or practices, nor is it to confirm or deny the matters under investigation. This article is to discuss the issue of church discipline in light of these events. Mugabi lost his wife last year, and it is alleged that, as a pastor at Watoto, he’s been sexually abusing those under him.
The crowd is split on this one. Some are relieved, and are like, “Wow! Finally, a church that holds its pastors accountable.” Others are disappointed, saying, “Well, a church is a hospital where everybody should feel welcome and not judged.” They feel Mugabi’s dismissal is judgmental. This is the question that this blog is intended to answer: Should churches fire a pastor because of immorality? What does the Bible say about church discipline?
Sexual Misconduct Among Pastors Today
Sexual scandals are not new in Uganda’s churches. They’re so many that they rival boda bodas in Kampala. Take Samuel Kakande, who’s been changing wives like underwear.1 He is now on his fifth. There’s Bujingo, that loud mouth who divorced his wife over health issues like it’s a valid excuse. And don’t get me started on Grace Lubega2 and the rest of the circus. On the global stage is Benny Hinn who was once caught sneaking out of a hotel room, hand-in-hand, with another woman.3 Jimmy Swaggart, who recently passed away, and was the author of The Expositor’s Study Bible, a very popular one in Kampala, was several times caught drunk and with prostitutes.4 Statistics tell us that about 1 in every 200 sexual abuse cases in Uganda involve a religious leader.5
What should we do when pastors treat the Bible’s boundaries like nice suggestions? Some call for strict discipline against misconduct, while others push for mercy, emphasizing God’s grace. But let us see what the Bible says.
What the Bible Says
If you’re of itchy ears, you may not want to hear this: The Bible actually takes a strong stance when it comes to church discipline. For example, 1 Corinthians 5:11–13 discusses a dude who was sleeping with his stepmom. Shockingly, the church was okay with it. But Paul wasn’t having it. He ordered them to kick out that creep. He said, “Hand him over to Satan” (1 Corinthians 5:5). I know it sounds heretical, but it’s God’s Word. Jesus gives us clear steps on how to handle sin in Matthew 18:15–17. Step number one: Go to the person in private and warn him about his sin. If he refuses to repent, go with one or two buddies. If they still refuse, take it to the church.
By now, some might be shifting in their seats and wondering, “Well, were these steps followed with Mugabi?” Paul, lays out the qualifications of pastors in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:6–9. They must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, and respectable. It’s obvious that if the allegations against Mugabi are true, he does not meet these standards. If a pastor has sexually abused members, it’s a glaring sin that strips him of his moral authority to preach holiness. You can’t preach water and drink wine. A pastor must walk the talk. Sleeping around is neither faithful nor respectable. I’ve got to give credit to Watoto for taking a stand. Other churches, take notes!
But wait a minute. This isn’t just your pastor’s problem. We’re all on the hook. Holiness isn’t only for the pulpit, it’s also for the pew. We’re all in the hot seat. Hebrews 12:14 tells all of us to strive for holiness, or we won’t see the Lord. There are no exceptions!. This isn’t just some Old Testament fossil. God’s the same in both testaments. Every Christian should live like Christ. Paul says, “Be imitators of God.” It’s frustrating that I have to spell this out, but holiness isn’t about wearing dust-licking robes or nodding like you have nodding disease to your pastor. Holiness is about flipping the pages of your Bible and striving to obey every word of it.
Answering Objections
But you might ask: Where is the place for grace? Didn’t Jesus tell the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you?” Or, “If any of you is without sin, let him cast the first stone?” Doesn’t Scripture command us to love one another? And doesn’t love cover all wrongs?”
I want to say this: If love and grace mean there’s no place for discipline, then the Bible contradicts itself. The passages above, and many more, make it clear that churches must practice church discipline. Leaders and members must live in a way that does not shame Christ. If love and grace cancel out discipline, we might as well burn our Bibles. I don’t think anyone wants that. The Bible is the word of God, correct and without contradiction in all that it says.
What about those lovey-dovey verses? You’re reading them wrong. Look here: The same God who loved the world so much that He gave His only Son is the same God who will cast into hell those who reject Him. The Bible tells us that God’s judgement shall be cause for joyous praise in heaven (Revelation 19:1-3). God is not shy about this. He says He “…laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming” (Psalm 37:13).
And guess what? Church discipline is actually love in action. In a passage we saw earlier, Paul tells the church to hand the guy sleeping with his stepmother to Satan. Not to destroy him, but save his soul. The purpose of discipline is not to punish but to redeem. It is Jesus, our Shepherd, spanking us with His rod, to put us back in the line. The writer to the Hebrews says it better: What father does not discipline his children? Without discipline, we’re bastard children (Hebrews 12:7-8). Likewise, a church that does not discipline its members does not love them. It’s treating them like they’re not even family.
When we sin, we should repent and follow our Lord. Saying, “We’re all sinners, skip discipline,” goes against the word of our Lord Jesus Christ and the instructions of His apostles. It’s like saying the entire judicial system should be abolished because everyone breaks the law.
Results of Neglecting Church Discipline
If churches fail in discipline, they are planning for a shipwreck. We have single mothers in churches, and sometimes their kid’s dad is the pastor himself. Trust gets shattered. I’ve heard folks say, “Bapasiita bafeere” (pastors are frauds). Our spineless policies hurt our testimony. Why should unbelievers care about a Bible we only talk about but do not obey? We must shine as lights in this dark world. Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth, and if the salt loses its taste, it’s worthless.” A lack of discipline cripples our testimony, but discipline shows the world that the gospel actually transforms us to live like Christ.
Conclusion
Mugabi’s drama has exposed how allergic we are to church discipline. I may not agree with everything they teach or do, but hats off to Watoto for swinging the axe. I encourage other churches to do the same. I pray that this axe may not stop just at church leaders but may be felt in every pew. None of us is exempt; according to scripture. All are called to live holy lives. Enough of the speeches. We need to judge ourselves before God does. As one wise person put it, “A man falls long in private before he falls in public.” We must discipline ourselves and be careful so that we do not allow the passions of our flesh to drive us to destructive ends. As our Lord says: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15–16).
References
1 “Prophet Kakande Speaks about his Marriages,” New Vision, accessed August 11, 2025. https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1142155/prophet-kakande-speakers-marriages
2 Veracity Fount, “Making Phaneroo Manifest,” p. 9, accessed August 11, 2025, https://veracityfount.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Making-Phaneroo-Manifest.pdf
3 “Benny Hinn Sued by Publisher over Alleged Relationship with Paula White.” Christian Post, accessed August 12, 2025.
4 “Jimmy Swaggart Dies,” The Guardian, July 1, 2025,
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/01/jimmy-swaggart-dies
5 UBOS, “2022 UBOS VAWG Report – Qualitative Report,” p. 97-98, accessed August 12, 2025, https://www.ubos.org/wp-content/uploads/publications/02_2022UBOS_VAWG_Report_-_Quantitative_report.pdf
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