Dan Lubega commonly known as DJ Western, a former celebrated radio DJ and presenter, transitioned to being a pastor who many come to, seeking spiritual healing and counselling. Dan Lubega, established Vega Counselling Ministries four years ago. He started as a mobile person hiring places, gardens, and hotels to meet his congregation until God provided them with their own church.
Who is Dan Lubega?
I am Dan Lubega, commonly known as DJ Western Empologoma, born in 1986. I was born in Lyantonde District to Capt Dan Lubega, one of the bush war warriors. My father died when I was only four years old and my mother is a Munyankole, Rhoda Tumushabe.
What sparked your transition from DJ to a ministry?
Being a prophet is not a title, it is a call from God. There is no way one can resist it because it is a call from God and God can do everything, so that you can serve him. I was a professional DJ, and journalist, during my radio times. I did the Vibe show where I hosted musicians, and later on, did a news roundup then I started doing Ekigambo Kyamagezi, a segment where I would offer inspirational/motivational quotes and stories, and counselling people. Along the way, I started receiving calls from people seeking counselling, and advice about other things.
So after counselling someone, they would ask for a prayer. I did not know I could do that at first but I started doing so. Later on, people would return to thank me saying things went well. I started announcing meetings to do general, not individual counselling.
How did you know it was God’s calling?
The first time I called people, they came in big numbers. We would talk about problems and their solutions. I was surprised because whenever I started praying, people would fall. I had never experienced that and I used not to believe in these things of people falling during prayer. Evil spirits started talking and I almost scampered. I felt power in me and heard a voice saying ‘The more you continue with what you are doing, the more you discover much’.
How long were you a deejay and radio presenter?
In 2011, I was deejaying and were using the latest turntables, auto mix. This, I started in Mubende then I joined Theo FM in Ishaka Bushenyi in 2012 before Endigyito Radio and Love FM. Then, I went to Rwenzori FM in Ibanda after which I joined Greater Africa Radio until when I started my own radio called Vega. I had promised my listeners that I would serve for only 13 years in radio.
How did your experience as a DJ and a radio presenter prepare you for your role as a pastor?
Being a prophet is a call from God, no one can prepare to be one. You can prepare to be a pastor, or a reverend by studying theology. As a prophet, you do not talk as a human being, you talk according to what God wants you to say. However, radio has helped and shaped me in terms of communication, relating with people, and knowing people’s problems. So, it has helped to be in that field of dealing with people.
And what was the most challenging part of leaving deejaying and embracing your new calling?
It was a denial state and withdrawal syndrome. Being a DJ, an emcee, a presenter, there is a sense of you feeling like you own the world. This is because it is full of happiness and life, it was not easy but we joined radio not because we wanted to be there for long. We wanted to serve and leave, but this calling of a prophet came at a time when I was planning to leave my radio career.
How did you become a churchman?
I was born and grew up in different families, my father was a Muslim and my mother was an Anglican. So, I grew up in a Christian set-up but I loved Islam so much. But when I grew up I discovered that religion is not all about God and God is different from religion. One can be a religious person but they do not believe in God. I grew up in God which is why I do not segregate the people I serve.
How do you respond to critics who may question your credibility as a pastor or as a prophet?
Those people (critics) are there, even Jesus was criticised, even Prophet Muhammed was criticised, nowadays people criticise even God. They say if you do not have critics then you are doing nothing. I do not respond to them, I do what I am supposed to and leave them to talk. If I concentrate on detractors, then I would have abandoned my duty.
What challenges have you faced in your ministry and how have you overcome them?
People criticise, demean me because they think that someone who was a DJ cannot be a prophet, mbu he might be omuyaye, and a self-seeker. I believe in God and whatever comes, I know that God is always there for me.
How do you handle the pressure of being a spiritual leader while also navigating your spiritual growth?
You leave everything for God because spiritual things are very hard to understand especially for those people who are not spiritually informed or awakened. It takes time to explain to someone about the spiritual world. That is why you see when you tell people that God has said this, they will ask you where you found Him. I am a human being, sometimes I get annoyed, and I feel weak but always I know there is someone who sent me, who is there for me.
What sets your ministry apart?
My ministry is all about giving the knowledge, preaching to people to make good use of the knowledge they have and how can earn a living without waiting for miracles.
How do you engage with your audience?
We do always congregate on 30th of every month, at my church. We give our people enough time to work, we pray once in a month that’s every 30th, when we gather, pray, preach and do counselling and they go back to their respective jobs, people should not be in church every week.
What advice do you give to others who may want to be prophets?
It is a calling from God and once you are called by God, then he is the one to guide you on what you are supposed to do.
What significant lessons have you learnt from your transition?
I have never and will never demean or judge anyone because whenever I see people judging me then I laugh at them in my heart knowing that they do not know what they are doing. God can use anybody at any time.
Since you started, what kind of people do you meet?
I meet all people from teenagers to mzees.
What is the future of Vega ministries?
I have never believed in back sliding, I have never believed in being in a bad position and I have never believed in being last when there is first. Vega Heart Counselling is one of the arms of the Vega group of companies where we have also Vega Radio, Vega Band, and Vega Sounds and soon we shall have Vega Motors.
Your last remarks…
God is always there, God is still reigning, God is still conquering this world and He has never abandoned us because anytime you call Him, He will be there for you.
