Reverend Gideon Byamugisha: HIV and AIDS, Youth, and the Church

July 25, 2012
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. EDT
Location: Berkley Center Third Floor Conference Room Map

As global AIDS experts gathered for the XIX International AIDS Conference, Reverend Gideon Byamugisha, founder of ANERELA+, discussed his experience as a Ugandan priest living with HIV openly since 1992. Having played a lead role in the Church of Uganda’s AIDS Program, Reverend Byamugisha currently serves as the Christian AID goodwill ambassador on HIV and AIDS. Byamugisha is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Niwano Peace Prize, for his ministry with children affected by AIDS. He spoke to the theological and practical resources available to restore agency and power to HIV-affected youth, enabling them to lead safer, healthier, prosperous, and fulfilling lives. Byamugisha made the case that the health and development risks facing orphans and other youths made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS are priorities issues in today’s African churches.

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Reverend Gideon Byamugisha: HIV and AIDS, Youth, and the Church

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About Gideon Byamugisha

Reverend Canon Gideon B. Byamugisha is an Anglican priest serving at Bishop Samuel Chapel and the founder of the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA+, expanded from its roots as an African network [ANERELA+]). He previously was canon of St. Paul's Cathedral in Namirembe and Holy Cross Cathedral in Lusaka, as well as goodwill ambassador on HIV and AIDS for Christian AID (UK) for Eastern Africa, Sudan, and the Horn. In 1992, he became the first religious leader in Africa to declare he was HIV positive. He also founded the Hope Institute for Transformational Leadership and Development. He has worked as an advisor to World Vision and has traveled internationally to speak about HIV/AIDS, including to a conference at the U.S. White House in December 2002. Byamugisha is the 2009 Winner of the Niwano Peace Foundation Award and Prize.

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Report July 25, 2012

Reverend Gideon Byamugisha: "HIV and AIDS, Youth, and the Church" Meeting Report

This report recaps a July 2012 event featuring Reverend Canon Dr. Gideon B. Byamugisha, who spoke of his work with ANERELA+/INERELA (religious leaders living with and affected by AIDS) and his personal experience as the first religious leader in Africa to declare that he was HIV positive.

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