The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, has renewed calls for a national health insurance scheme, saying many Ugandans die from preventable conditions because they cannot afford timely medical care. Kaziimba appealed on Sunday while preaching at his farewell service, which coincided with the consecration and commissioning of the new St Peter’s Cathedral in Soroti City.
He urged the government to consider financing the proposed scheme using revenue from the country’s natural resources, including minerals and oil, to improve access to healthcare. “We are always conducting funeral services. Some deaths could be prevented if people received timely medical attention,” Kaziimba said.
He also called on Ugandans to take greater responsibility for their health through proper eating habits and regular exercise. The Archbishop cautioned against excessive food consumption and unhealthy diets, urging people to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.
“When I am at my home watching Arsenal versus Man U, I also do exercise by kicking around. People should have moments to slow down with their lives,” he said. Vice-President Jessica Alupo, who represented President Yoweri Museveni at the ceremony, pledged to forward the Archbishop’s proposal to the President for consideration.
“This request for health insurance will reach the biggest office, which is for the President,” Alupo said. In his message delivered at the event, Museveni urged religious leaders to encourage Christians to engage in productive economic activities to improve household incomes and reduce poverty.
“Poverty must be chased out of homes, and it is because of subsistence farming that poverty is still affecting the people,” Museveni said. Meanwhile, Moses Attan, the Soroti City East Member of Parliament, pledged to push for improvements in the working conditions of medical personnel and the rehabilitation of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital.
Attan said the hospital needed better facilities to enable health workers to provide adequate services to the population it serves. “We will push until the regional hospital is rehabilitated because we are all candidates of the hospital, and doctors need a better hospital to serve the people,” he said.
The ceremony attracted hundreds of Christians and several political, religious and cultural leaders, including Soroti City Woman MP Joan Acom Alobo, Minister of State for Teso Affairs Kenneth Clement Ongalo Obote, Kaberamaido County MP Alfred Edakasi and Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Samuel Okiding.
Kumam cultural leaders, the Iteso cultural leadership, and other government officials also attended. Kaziimba was consecrated and enthroned as the ninth Archbishop of the Church of Uganda on March 1, 2020. Since then, he has consecrated 21 bishops. He is scheduled to retire on August 15, 2027, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 65-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
