Pastor Martin Ssempa has sparked renewed debate over COVID-19 vaccinations in Uganda, reflecting on his refusal to take the jab during the height of the pandemic.
In a statement shared on X, Ssempa recalled the government’s controversial proposals to jail unvaccinated citizens, which he says would have carried a four-year prison sentence.
“Because you forget so quickly. They proposed a law to jail us. Four years in jail! I refused to take the experimental COVID vaccine,” Ssempa wrote.
The pastor expressed concerns over the health impacts of the vaccines, referencing neighbors with underlying conditions like diabetes who he claims suffered adverse effects, including death and cases of erectile dysfunction.
He further invoked international voices, highlighting Robert Kennedy Jr.’s criticism of the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy, describing it as a “scam.”
Ssempa posed reflective questions on the lessons learned from the pandemic, signaling skepticism toward both the government’s enforcement measures and the global vaccination campaign.
His remarks arrive amid ongoing public discussions in Uganda about vaccine safety, government mandates, and the balance between public health directives and individual rights.
While Uganda’s COVID-19 vaccination drive was intended to curb the spread of the virus, it faced resistance from various communities citing safety concerns and personal freedoms.