HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Be it a prophecy or personal opinion, Pastor Aloysius Bujjingo has found himself at the centre of an online storm after distancing himself from a failed prediction he made about the 2026 FIFA World Cup winner, insisting that his comments were never intended to be taken as a message from God.
The House of Prayer Ministries International founder has publicly rejected claims that he issued a false prophecy after Spain emerged as the 2026 FIFA World Cup champions, contrary to the teams he had earlier tipped to lift football’s biggest prize.
Speaking after the tournament concluded, Bujjingo clarified that his prediction was nothing more than the opinion of a passionate football enthusiast.
“It wasn’t a prophecy because I never claimed it was one,” he said, responding to widespread criticism that followed Spain’s triumph.
Before the latter stages of the tournament, Bujjingo had confidently stated that France, Argentina, Brazil or Portugal would win the World Cup. Those four nations, all regarded among the tournament favourites, ultimately failed to secure the title, paving the way for Spain to claim the coveted trophy.
The unexpected outcome quickly sparked a wave of reactions across Ugandan social media platforms, where critics and comedians alike accused the controversial preacher of making yet another failed prophecy. Memes, edited videos and sarcastic posts circulated widely, with many users questioning the credibility of religious leaders who publicly make predictions about sporting events.
However, Bujjingo maintained that the criticism was misplaced because he never presented his views as divine revelation.
According to the outspoken pastor, football is one of his favourite hobbies, and like millions of fans around the world, he enjoys discussing matches and predicting results. He stressed that such conversations should not be confused with spiritual pronouncements delivered during worship services.
His clarification also sought to shield his ministry from unnecessary controversy, arguing that people deliberately twisted a casual football discussion into a religious issue simply because of his position as a pastor.
This is not the first time a prominent religious leader has come under scrutiny over public predictions. Across Africa and beyond, pastors have occasionally faced criticism when forecasts on politics, sports or current affairs fail to materialise, especially where audiences interpret personal opinions as prophetic declarations.
For Bujjingo, the message is clear: his World Cup prediction belonged in the realm of football banter, not the pulpit. Whether his critics accept that distinction remains another matter altogether.
