Kampala, Uganda - As a Champion for sexual and reproductive health, I believe that we should have life in its abundancy, spiritually and in terms of health,” said His Grace the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Samuel Stephen Kaziimba.
He made the remarks on Monday 10th August, when he made a courtesy visit to UNFPA offices in Kololo, Kampala.
Quoting the bible, John 10:10 (…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly), Archbishop Kaziimba said that it is important to think about other things in connection to health, including conversation of the head for the mindset, the heart for attitudes, and the hands to work, give and support.
The Archbishop is a strong supporter of UNFPA’s mandate - delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
In April, at the height of the nationwide lockdown due to the COVID-19 epidemic, he argued women to be careful, and use contraception to avoid unplanned pregnancy. During a Sunday sermon that was broadcast on national television, Archbishop Kaziimba expressed concern that many women would get pregnant during the lockdown if they were not careful to use contraceptives.
It is not only of recent that Archbishop Kaziimba has come out to support family planning. A few years ago, while serving as the Bishop of Mityana Diocese, he strongly supported the development of the first ‘Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan’ for Mityana district. This later inspired many other districts to develop their Family Planning Costed Implementation Plans. Since 2018, twenty districts across Uganda have developed their Family Planning Costed Implementation Plans, with support from the Ministry of Health, UNFPA, and the Government of the United Kingdom (UKAid).
The UNFPA Representative, Mr. Alain Sibenaler told the Archbishop that he was very touched when he saw his message on family planning.
“We thank you for your message during the COVID-19 lockdown. It is very rare that we have someone of your position remind Ugandans about the use of family planning. We also appreciate that you come to meet us physically,” said Mr. Sibenaler.
The Archbishop commended UNFPA’s work towards advancing reproductive health, preventing gender-based violence and HIV. He called for continued partnership, especially for UNFPA to make use of the Church of Uganda infrastructure in 37 dioceses, reaching over 11 million people. This is in addition to 248 health facilities, 14 hospitals, several schools, as well as vocational training institutions across Uganda.
-Compiled by Prossy Jonker Nakanjako
