KAMPALA – The Rt. Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, the bishop of Namirembe Diocese has tasked leaders to challenge teachings that are inhuman by false prophets who discourage people living with HIV from taking their medication through false prophesy.
Bishop Luwalira said this in his message warning Christians about the dangers of HIV/AIDS.
His warning message comes a few days to Sunday, December 1 when Uganda will join the rest of the World to celebrate. This year’s celebration will be held in Kayunga district.
Rev Luwalira said “We give thanks to God because this year’s World AIDs Day commemoration is going to be on a Sunday, a day on which we are fully able to air out our views about various issues concerning fighting HIV among the people we lead. God has called upon us the clergy to educate and sensitize people perishing due to HIV just because of ignorance. Hosea 4:6.”
“I take this opportunity to let you know that nowadays the spread of HIV is on the increase and 115 young people aged 15 – 24 years get infected with HIV of which some are the Christians we fellowship with,” he added.
Bishop also shared some tips to leaders if they wish to bring change:
- To properly utilize our positions to promote safe practices such as; regular HIV testing, adherence to treatment for those found positive and encouraging them as well.
- Working together in collaboration with organizations and individuals who promote health in addition to praying and promoting actions taken to ensure that HIV positive people are on treatment and the negative ones are safe.
- To support and help individuals and church organizations that have stood out to fight the spread of HIV in our churches which include “Friends of Canon Gideon Foundation.”
He gave an example that; Joseph refused to sin against God when Potiphar’s wife tried to drag him in to sin. It is clear that, had Joseph given in to temptation, he would not survive the consequences and the possibility of contracting HIV.
“On that note, therefore, we should teach our children and youths to live carefully,” he urged.
“We who were called by God should also not deny him and let us use our Bibles to fight HIV/AIDS,” he added.
The Bishop called upon leaders to join the world by taking actions that create a difference in communities just as the theme of the day states (Communities making a difference).
