Dear Pastor Kayanja,
I’m writing to you with a heavy heart, seeking forgiveness in advance for any mistakes. As someone who drew inspiration from your sermons, I’m disappointed and hurt by your involvement in our Senior Doctor’s protracted sickness. Our Director, a humble man who rose from grass to grace, was successfully operated on for a brain tumor at Mulago National Referral Hospital. However, you allegedly convinced his wife, now your pastor, Ruth Birungi, to take him to your miracle center after paying heavily. This is unacceptable.
As medical professionals, we know that we treat, and God heals. Your actions have caused harm, confusion, and trashed doctors’ diagnoses and prescriptions in the name of “his sickness is spiritual.” This is unprofessional and irresponsible. You deployed pastors in Mbarara to pray and mention things the woman wants, which is an abuse of power and manipulation. We, the Director’s friends, demand that you revisit your intentions and allow the government to take him to the hospital.
Man of God, your silence in the media regarding these allegations is deafening, and your lack of action to help Dr. Barigye and his family is unacceptable. Instead, the wife solicits funds from the church for prayers, exploiting and abusing power. What do you want exactly? If you wanted money, you would encourage the patient to adhere to our prescriptions and routine reviews to get better and testify on your behalf. Why mislead them to the point of losing their lives?
Put yourself in the Director’s shoes. How would you feel if your lovely wife, Pr Jessica Kayanja, refused to take you to the hospital? Prioritize medical attention over spiritual interventions. We demand that you come out and explain yourself regarding these allegations. Your silence is deafening, and your lack of action is unacceptable. We call on you to take responsibility for your actions and prioritize the well-being of those under your care.
Furthermore, we urge Pastor Ruth Birungi, the Director’s wife, to act responsibly and allow the government to take Dr. Barigye to the hospital for proper medical attention. If she continues to prioritize spiritual interventions over medical treatment, she will ultimately account for her actions when it’s too late. We warn that if things take a turn for the worse, she who thinks she knows everything on earth will have to live with the consequences of her decisions. We implore her to reconsider her stance and put her husband’s health above all else.
We demand justice and accountability for your actions. What will you tell us in the future? Apologize and allow the government to take action. We’ll continue to use our pens to express ourselves until the responsible parties take action.
Sincerely,
The Director’s former medical student, friend, believer, and a medical doctor.
