By Melanie Aanyu,

The minister for Internal Affairs, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, has blamed leaders of Pentecostal churches for increasing poverty among the faithful.

Otafire, who was addressing the public as a chief guest at the 50 years thanksgiving ceremony of Mr Don Tumusiime, a leader of Bushenyi Town Temple Pentecostal Church in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality on Saturday, said pastors are keeping their followers in poverty as they get richer.

Mr Otafiire said it is shameful for Pentecostal Church leaders to collect money from their followers yet they (followers) are sleeping on empty stomachs.

Mr Tumusiime said during his 50 years of preaching the gospel, he has faced a number of challenges, which include internal church wars and lack of land and funds.

Mr Turyamureeba said despite having representatives at the Inter-Religious Council, they (Pentecostal Churches) have had challenges with selfish leaders.