“One of the challenges
we’ve had is helping
people who are
believers accept that
they have HIV and
then accept treatment.
The stigma, especially
within the church, is
the greatest hindrance
to my work.”
among people living with and
dying of the same disease, Haggai
Institute’s training helped me ‘not
to die before I actually die.’”
Stephen’s passionate about
helping Ugandans affected by
AIDS and desires to see churches
play a central role. For the past
three years, as senior medical
officer of Mildmay Hospital, he’s
worked as the hospital’s faithbased liaison, helping mobilize
the church in the AIDS fight.
they’re not Christ-followers,
they also ask me to share my
testimony.”
Stephen has since written a book
HIV/AIDS: 100 Commonly Asked
Questions and pens a weekly
column called “Face HIV, with
Dr. Watiti” that runs in New
Vision, Uganda’s leading daily
newspaper.
“One of the challenges we’ve
had is helping people who are
believers accept that they have
HIV and then accept treatment.
The stigma, especially within the
church, is the greatest hindrance
to my work. So many times
people accept treatment too late
and they die.”
12
Because of his work advocating
for those suffering from AIDS,
Stephen has received several
national and international
awards. He’s also been
recognized as an HIV champion
and an Inspired Individual
by Tear Fund, a relief and
development charity.
Through sharing his own story
and personal tragedies, such
as the loss of his son and his
first wife, Stephen has had
opportunities to present the
Gospel to patients and those
outside the hospital.
A child waits inside the pediatric section of Dr. Watiti’s
hospice. In addition to the
150,000 children suffering
with AIDS, the disease has also
created 1.2 million orphans
throughout Uganda.
“No one should die of AIDS. But,
because of limited resources and
ignorance about the disease,
many do,” he says.
He says, “At Haggai Institute I
learned valuable writing and
communication skills that
I still use today. I have been
invited to speak to many groups
and individuals locally and
internationally.”
“I believe those accolades have
come because of what God has
done for me and through me,” he
says.
“God gave me this verse, Hosea
2:15, where He says, ‘I will turn
the valley of trouble into a door
of hope.’ I show people that, even
though they are infected with
HIV, they can have hope.
“In fact, because of having HIV, I
have more opportunities to share
my testimony. People will ask me
to speak as a doctor and person
living with HIV, and, even though
“HIV brings a lot of fear and
shame. The training I received
at Haggai Institute helped me
believe that in spite of being
infected, ‘I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the Lord
has done,’ (Psalm 118:17).”
Writer: Heather Loveridge
Photos: Tres Rice
To view a multimedia presentation of Dr.
Stephen Watiti’s ministry, visit:
www.HaggaiInstitute.com/IMPACT-4.