Media personality Sheilah Gashumba has hit back at Robert Kayanja Jr after he accused her of being a bad influence on young girls, revealing that his family allegedly paid her Shs2 million in 2020 to promote a fashion brand linked to his sister.
The latest exchange has intensified a public dispute that began after Sheilah’s father, Frank Gashumba, challenged pastors and religious leaders who claim to perform miraculous healings.
Kayanja Jr criticised Sheilah’s public image and accused her of encouraging behaviour he described as inappropriate among young women. He also referred to her as a “half naked DJ with no musical talent.”
In response, Sheilah recalled an invitation she said she received in December 2020 from Jessica Kayanja, inviting her to the launch of her daughter Kristiana’s clothing line.
According to Sheilah, the invitation included Shs2 million for promoting the brand on her social media platforms.
“In 2020 December, I received a call from Mrs Jessica Kayanja inviting me to the launch of her daughter Kristiana’s clothing line,” Sheilah wrote.
She added that Kristiana was a talented designer but questioned why the family had sought her endorsement if they considered her a negative influence on young girls.
“Now my question to you (Kayanja Jr), if I’m misleading girls and if I portray myself in bad manner, why did my presence matter so much that day?” she asked.
Sheilah further questioned why the family would want to associate Kristiana’s brand with her if they disapproved of her public image.
She also accused Kayanja Jr of diverting the discussion from its original subject, which concerned claims of miraculous healing.
“The question was about miracles, when did you divert and make it personal?” she wrote.
Sheilah added that neither Kayanja Jr nor his father had initially been the focus of the debate. She also advised Kayanja Jr to control his temper to protect his father’s legacy.
How the Dispute Started
The disagreement traces back to Frank Gashumba’s challenge to pastors, prophets and apostles who claim to heal serious illnesses through prayer.
Gashumba initially offered Shs200 million, later increasing the amount to Shs500 million, to any religious leader who could demonstrate miraculous healing on a critically ill patient at a major hospital.
Pastor Robert Kayanja subsequently rejected suggestions that his ministry stages fake miracles, maintaining that healing comes through Jesus rather than pastors themselves.
The debate widened after Sheilah defended her father and criticised churches she accused of exploiting financially vulnerable believers through excessive tithes and a lack of financial transparency.
Kayanja Jr responded by defending his family’s church, pointing to its humanitarian activities, support for education and accountability measures.
What began as a debate over miraculous healing and church practices has since escalated into a personal exchange between Sheilah Gashumba and Kayanja Jr.
