Videos circulating on social media appear to show Gemechis Buba, a well-known Ethiopian prosperity-gospel preacher and adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, dancing at a nightclub in Kampala, Uganda, according to The Habesha. The outlet reported that it obtained the footage from a source who asked not to be identified and whose identity it said would stay confidential. In the videos, several women in revealing clothing are seen dancing in front of him as he moves along with them, The Habesha reported.
The material has been posted in at least two Facebook posts, according to the outlet. Neither Gemechis nor the organization he heads has issued a public statement about the videos, The Habesha reported.
Why it matters
The footage draws attention to a religious figure whose reach extends well past the pulpit, as The Habesha put it. Gemechis is a prominent voice in Ethiopia's prosperity-gospel movement, a strand of Christian teaching that emphasizes material blessing and personal success. He is also connected to the country's top political leadership through his work in education, a link that gives the nightclub videos a wider significance than a single evening's entertainment might otherwise carry.
The story also raises questions about how private moments travel online. The Habesha did not say who filmed the video or how it reached social media, and it did not independently confirm the date of the recording. The outlet's account rests on footage it received from an anonymous source and on posts that had already begun circulating.
A preacher with ties to the prime minister
Gemechis founded Leadstar College of Management and Leadership, according to The Habesha, and Abiy earned an MBA at the institution. That detail ties the preacher's educational work directly to Ethiopia's highest office, and it helps explain why his public image attracts scrutiny beyond religious circles.
He is married and has children, The Habesha reported. His standing as a preacher, combined with his connection to the prime minister, places him among the religious figures linked to Ethiopia's political establishment, the outlet noted.
The Habesha's report did not describe the setting of the club, the occasion for the gathering, or when the footage was captured. It also did not say whether Gemechis has seen the videos or been asked about them directly.
What to watch
Whether Gemechis or Leadstar addresses the footage publicly is the next point to watch, along with any response from Ethiopian officials given his advisory role.
