Africa’s first priest to declare HIV-positive status
After the death of his wife from an Aids-related illness in 1992, Gideon Byamugisha tested positive for HIV. Treament options in Uganda were few and social stigma was strong.
Reverend Canon Gideon Byamugisha had just been ordained when he tested positive for HIV. The stigma was immense at the time in Uganda, particularly for a priest. Many urged Gideon to keep his diagnosis a secret, but he refused. Instead, he turned his experience into a campaign against stigma, travelling globally to advocate for compassion toward people living with Aids. He also questioned whether he was the only priest living with HIV and went on to co-found Inerela+, the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV and Aids.
Producer: Eric Mugaju
Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707
(Photo: Reverend Canon Gideon Byamugisha. Credit: Grace Natukunda)
Last on
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- Mon 23 Sep 202411:06GMTBBC World Service
- Mon 23 Sep 202417:06GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Mon 23 Sep 202421:06GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Tue 24 Sep 202402:06GMTBBC World Service
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