By Dr. Kivumbi Earnest Benjamin, L.H.D (Hon.)

Kampala, Uganda — As the world continues to battle the HIV/AIDS epidemic more than four decades after its emergence, a Ugandan pastor has issued a passionate call to Christians worldwide to unite in prayer for the discovery of a cure for the disease.

Pastor Edward Katumba of Bible Gospel Church says he was inspired during a time of prayer to seek divine intervention for millions of people living with HIV/AIDS across the globe.

Quoting Hebrews 13:8, which states that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever,” Pastor Katumba believes that God can provide a breakthrough in the search for a cure for one of humanity’s most devastating health challenges.

According to the latest UNAIDS Fact Sheet 2025, approximately 40.8 million people worldwide were living with HIV in 2024. During the same year, 1.3 million people were newly infected, while 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. Since the beginning of the epidemic, an estimated 91.4 million people have contracted HIV and more than 44 million have died from AIDS-related diseases.

Women and girls continue to bear a disproportionate burden of the epidemic, accounting for 53 percent of all people living with HIV globally.

Uganda remains among the countries heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. The first cases were reported in the 1980s along the shores of Lake Victoria. Since then, the disease is estimated to have claimed between 1.5 and 2 million lives in the country.

Current statistics indicate that Uganda ranks among the countries with the highest HIV burden globally. An estimated 1.4 million Ugandans were living with HIV in 2022. Although prevalence rates have declined over the years due to increased awareness, prevention campaigns, and access to antiretroviral therapy, approximately 52,000 new infections are still recorded annually. Health experts estimate that nearly 1,000 new infections occur every week, with adolescent girls accounting for about 70 percent of new infections among young people.

Pastor Katumba said his call to prayer is rooted in biblical examples where God brought healing, restoration, and solutions to seemingly impossible situations. He cited several scriptures, including 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 107:20, Matthew 7:7-8, Philippians 4:6, and Isaiah 38, which emphasize the power of prayer, faith, and God’s ability to heal.

“I believe the Lord has placed this burden on my heart to encourage the Body of Christ worldwide to petition God for a breakthrough in finding a cure or medicine for HIV/AIDS,” Pastor Katumba said.

He added that just as God responded to the prayers of His people in biblical times, He can also grant humanity wisdom and revelation leading to a cure in this generation.

The pastor is calling upon churches, ministries, prayer groups, and individual believers around the world to dedicate time to praying for scientists, researchers, medical professionals, and policymakers involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“As God showed mercy to His people in the past, I strongly believe He will have mercy upon us and provide a solution to this disease,” he said.

The appeal comes at a time when global health organizations continue to intensify efforts aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat while expanding access to treatment, prevention, and care services for affected communities.

For more information:

Pastor Edward Katumba
Bible Gospel Church
P.O. Box 5377, Kampala
Email: biblegospelchurchkampala@gmail.com