Reverend seeking sh25m for surgery

Reverend Peter James Okiror, the Archdeacon of Bukedea Archdeaconry, who is due to undergo open-heart surgery at Mulago National Referral Hospital, is seeking financial assistance from well-wishers to enable him have treatment.

Okiror, 63, was diagnosed with a heart condition known as Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) on June 25, 2019. RHD is a disease of the heart involving damage to one or more of the four small heart valves.

According to Okiror, he used to have painful joints, chest discomfort and sometimes he found it hard to breathe, it is until he was reviewed by doctors at the Uganda Heart Institute in Mulago that he found out that his valves had to be replaced.

"The doctors recommended an urgent heart surgery early last year and the cost of operation is estimated at sh25m. Christians tried to collect some funds for me but ever since churches were closed, we have not collected any funds," said Rev Okiror.

The man of God is currently on medication pending an operation at the heart institute. He is weak and resting at his home.

The church has not been able to help him that is why he has decided to appeal for help from well-wishers to intervene in order to raise the funds needed so as to rescue his life.

"I am calling upon all my brothers and sisters to contribute to raise fund for my treatment so that I can be bailed out. I welcome everything," he requested. 

Money can be sent to his phone numbers 0776120676 or 0756120676.

With churches having shut down following the ban on social gatherings, clerics have emerged among the vulnerable and worst-affected groups.

Without offerings flowing into church coffers, many clerics and church workers are unable to earn their salaries