The “Faith of Unity” (FoU), known in Runyoro as Obumu Ruhanga Owobusobozi, is a rapidly growing religious movement in East Africa, centered on the divinity of its founder, Desteo Bisaka. Founded in 1980 in Western Uganda, this sect has grown into a widespread religious movement, attracting millions of followers by blending indigenous African spiritualism with elements of Catholic liturgy, while explicitly rejecting the authority of the Bible and mainstream Christianity.
Biography of Owobusobozi Bisaka
Desteo Bisaka was born on June 11, 1930, in Kitoma Kiboizi village, Kibaale District, Western Uganda. He was raised in a profoundly Catholic family; his father, Petero Byombi, and grandfather, Alifonsio Wenkere, were catechists at Bujuni Catholic Parish. Bisaka was a teacher by profession, working for 35 years at Muhorro Catholic Primary School, and served as a choirmaster, catechist, and parish council secretary, which gave him deep knowledge of Catholic doctrine and hymns. Despite his Catholic upbringing, he claimed that on February 22, 1980, he was commissioned by God to begin healing people, marking the start of his self-professed divinity.
Founding of the Church and Doctrine
- Founding: Bisaka officially founded the Faith of Unity on February 22, 1980, at Kapyemi Hill, Muhorro Town Council, Kagadi District, following a claimed three-day trance where he visited the “Lord of Hosts”.
- The Trinity/Divinity of Bisaka: Followers believe Bisaka is “God in the flesh” (Omukama Ruhanga Owobusobozi Bisaka, meaning “The Lord God of the Power of God” Or loosely “The Lord God who can do”). He is considered the supreme fighter of Satan and the unifier of humanity, taking his place alongside the “Lord God of Hosts” and the “Lord God of Holiness”.
- Scripture: The Faith of Unity rejects the Bible, which they refer to as “divisive” or books of the “Chwezi” (ancestral spirits). Instead, they use “The Book of God of the Age of Oneness,” authored by Bisaka himself in 1985.
- Rituals and Practices: The congregation holds prayers on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd day of every month. Followers wear white tunics (kanzu) to represent holiness. They drink “holy water” blessed by Bisaka for healing. Before joining, new followers must list all their sins for Bisaka to cleanse.
- Prohibition of Medicine: While promoting some traditional healing methods, Bisaka has often discouraged the use of modern medicine, encouraging reliance on his “holy water”.
Ministry Expansion, Numbers, and Followers
The Faith of Unity has expanded dramatically from its humble beginnings in Bunyoro, Uganda.
- Expansion: The movement has spread across Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Kenya, and Tanzania.
- Followers: Estimates indicate the movement has over two million followers in Uganda, with the number steadily growing. Some reports indicate the number of followers around the world could be higher.
- Churches (Matambiro): By the time of Bisaka’s death in January 2021, the movement had approximately 1,230 healing centers, known as Matambiro.
- Hierarchy: The movement has a structured hierarchy, with “Abahereza” serving as priests and teachers.
Why the Faith of Unity is Dangerous
The Faith of Unity is considered a dangerous cult for several reasons, classified primarily as a “disruptive cult” by observers.
- Blasphemy and Deification of a Human: Bisaka taught that he was God, which contradicts fundamental Christian theology, leading followers away from the salvation of Jesus Christ toward a mortal man.
- Negation of the Bible: By replacing the Bible with his own writings, Bisaka removes the standard of truth, creating a closed system vulnerable to absolute control.
- Medical Mismanagement: The encouragement to use “holy water” over, or instead of, conventional medicine has posed risks to followers’ health.
- Exploitation: There are reports of followers being manipulated into giving money to Bisaka, including reports of them buying him a luxury airplane and gifts, raising questions about financial exploitation.
- Violence and Disruptive Behaviour: Followers have been involved in incidents of attacking cultural sites and burning property, and they are sometimes described as having a “radical” nature.
- Deception Regarding Death: Despite claiming to be God and promising to resurrect his own son, Bisaka died in a Kenyan hospital on January 24, 2021, showing he was not omnipotent, yet followers continue to worship him.
How to Avoid the Cult
- Scriptural Knowledge: Deep knowledge of the Bible, particularly regarding the nature of God and the exclusivity of Jesus Christ (John 14:6), acts as a shield against cultic claims.
- Critical Thinking: Encouraging the testing of spiritual claims against Scripture (Acts 17:11).
- Avoid “Wonder” Seeking: Cults often gain followers through claims of immediate miraculous healing and “special powers,” which people should be wary of.
- Awareness of Cultic Techniques: Recognizing the use of white clothing (uniformity), special days, and isolationist “we are one” rhetoric.
Evangelising Cult Members: Advice for Conservative Evangelicals
Conservative Evangelical churches should approach followers of the Faith of Unity with a combination of truth and grace:
- Direct Biblical Confrontation: Leaders must clearly preach the divinity of Jesus Christ and the exclusivity of salvation through His atonement, debunking the need for a modern-day “living god”.
- Expose the Fallacy of “God in the Flesh”: Point out the inconsistency of a “god” dying of sickness (as seen with Bisaka).
- Offer the Bible as the Final Authority: Cult members are taught to disregard the Bible. Providing Bibles and teaching them to read them in context is essential.
- Show Compassion, Not Just Condemnation: Many join such cults looking for genuine hope, healing, or community. Evangelism should offer a stronger sense of community and unconditional love found in Christ.
- Focus on Grace over Works: The Faith of Unity emphasizes strict, legalistic obedience to earn eternal life. Christians must present the message that salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
References
- The Monitor: Owobusobozi Bisaka: The self-styled god in Bunyoro region
- ResearchGate: A Study of Dosteo Bisaka’s Contribution to the Faith of Unity
- Uganda Radio Network: Owobusobozi Bisaka’s Death Finally Confirmed
- ACFAR: Answering Bisaka’s “Faith of Unity”
- Atwebembeire, R. (2021). Answering Bisaka’s “Faith of Unity”. Center for Apologetics Research (CFAR).
- Murutha, I. K. (2020). A Study of Dosteo Bisaka’s Contribution to the “Faith of Unity” Religious Movement in Western Uganda. Journals.iium.edu.my.
- New Vision. (2003). He Claims To Be The Power Of God.
- ResearchGate. (2018). “Everything is Plastic”: The Faith of Unity Movement and the Making of a Post-Catholic Religion in Uganda.
- State House Uganda. (2025). President Museveni, Faith Of Unity Believers Celebrate Owobusobozi Bisaka’s 96th Birthday.
- The Monitor. (2021). Self-proclaimed Ugandan god, Owobusobozi Bisaka, dies in Kenya.
2 replies on “The Faith of Unity: Biography of Owobusobozi Bisaka and the Rise of a Ugandan Cult”
But even when the man dies, can’t that tell them that God is omnipotent.
May the Lord God open their eyes before its too late.
Most times these people are caught up in emotionalism. One of the things false teachers do is fill the heads of their followers with lies and empty promises. Those unfulfilled promises keeps the people coming back in hopes they will one day get their share.