We, the concerned citizens and stakeholders in Uganda’s development and justice sectors, issue this urgent public statement to draw national and international attention to a deeply troubling trend of abuse of trust, donor fraud, land grabbing, and political manipulation being conducted under the cover of a supposed faith-based organization known as Pilgrim Africa.
Originally presented to the Ugandan public and international donors as a Christian humanitarian and development entity, Pilgrim Africa has in practice deviated from its declared faith-based mission and instead evolved into a vehicle for political mobilization, personal enrichment, and unlawful acquisition of land. This betrayal of public trust and donor intent has not only disillusioned communities in the Teso sub-region but also seriously undermined efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and equity in Uganda’s civil society landscape.
Pilgrim Africa’s public image as a faith-based, non-profit organization belies the deeply political and self-serving nature of its operations. The organization has become increasingly entangled in local political maneuvering, operating less as a charity and more as a political platform. Rather than championing the Gospel, humanitarian aid, or community transformation, its activities now serve narrow political interests, often at the expense of the vulnerable communities it claims to serve.
There is no longer any credible distinction between Pilgrim Africa’s “development” activities and its covert political agenda. This poses an ethical crisis and misleads donors who believe they are supporting Christian humanitarian causes.
Of particular concern is Pilgrim Africa’s direct involvement in multiple high-profile and contested land transactions across the Teso sub-region, many of which are marred by allegations of illegality, corruption, and disregard for due process. These include:
• The Soroti Golf Course Land: A piece of communal recreational land of significant historical and cultural value reportedly acquired in a clandestine and irregular manner. The community was neither consulted nor compensated, raising serious questions about transparency.
• UBC External Broadcasting Land in Dakabela: Formerly national property reserved for public broadcasting infrastructure, this land is now under dispute after reportedly being acquired by associates of Pilgrim Africa without following legal procedures.
• 18,000 Acres in Katakwi District: One of the most alarming cases of alleged land grabbing, involving vast tracts of land claimed without adequate public participation, environmental review, or lawful compensation. Communities have reported threats and coercion in connection with this case.
• Other parcels in Serere, Kalaki, and land belonging to Soroti City Municipal Secondary School: These transactions follow a similar pattern of opacity, political interference, and displacement of poor communities.
These land grabs not only displace local residents and schools but also pose a threat to public infrastructure, justice, and peace in the region.
Equally disturbing are credible reports that donor funding received by Pilgrim Africa has been systematically misused. Resources meant to uplift communities—through health, education, agriculture, and youth empowerment programs—have instead been redirected to fund political campaigns, private enterprises, and personal luxuries.
Donations from well-meaning organizations and individuals, many of them from the United States and Europe, have not been accounted for in line with international best practices. Key concerns include:
• Ghost projects that never materialize despite reports of funding;
• Lavish expenditures unrelated to declared objectives;
• Political mobilization disguised as community engagement;
• Lack of publicly available audit reports or impact assessments.
These financial irregularities violate both Ugandan and international standards of non-profit accountability and demand immediate scrutiny.
We commend the steps already taken by some government agencies and the judiciary in Uganda, as well as the reported interest of the United States Embassy in Kampala, to examine these matters. We understand that aspects of these issues are currently before the courts, and several ministries and regulatory bodies are reviewing the legality of Pilgrim Africa’s activities.
However, we believe these steps must be matched with public accountability and comprehensive donor intervention, including:
1. A forensic audit of all financial inflows and expenditures of Pilgrim Africa over the last ten years;
2. Full public disclosure of donor partnerships, grant agreements, and project implementation outcomes;
3. Independent investigations into land acquisitions, especially those involving public property or displacing vulnerable communities;
4. Suspension of further donor disbursements or government partnerships with Pilgrim Africa pending conclusion of investigations;
5. Sanctions and legal action against individuals and entities found to have abused donor funds or public trust.
We appeal directly to all donors—especially those of faith-based, humanitarian, and development missions—to review their relationships with Pilgrim Africa. Many of you have been deceived by a carefully curated narrative that bears little resemblance to the realities on the ground. We urge you to demand transparency, accountability, and immediate cessation of support until an independent audit clears the organization.
This is not just about protecting your financial integrity; it is about standing with the very people you intended to help and ensuring that the values of compassion, integrity, and justice are not exploited for private gain.
The actions of Pilgrim Africa represent a betrayal of faith-based service, a violation of community trust, and a misuse of international generosity. This cannot be allowed to continue. Ugandans deserve better. Donors deserve honesty. And justice must be served.
We call on all concerned citizens, watchdog agencies, government officials, religious leaders, and international partners to speak out, take action, and ensure that this impunity is stopped once and for all.
