Rukungiri Religious Leaders and Health Workers Urge Love, Faith, and Safety Ahead of Valentine’s Day

Rukungiri: As the world prepares to celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14, religious leaders and health workers in Rukungiri District have called on the public to focus on love, faith, and personal safety.

During an interview with our news reporter on February 12, the parish priest at Yakobo Orikwera Buhandagazi Church of Uganda Rev. Syson Gumisiriza, said that Valentine’s Day should not be about eating and drinking, but about showing the love of Jesus Christ. He emphasized that love should not be shown only on Valentine’s Day, but practiced every day.

Rev. Gumisiriza urged Christians to keep love in their hearts and asked married couples to celebrate Christ’s love through prayer, forgiveness, humility, and understanding.

CUE IN……REV. SYSON……RR/ENG

The chaplain at Immaculate Heart and curate at Nyakibale Catholic Parish, Rev. Fr. Cleophas Mugabe, explained the origin of Valentine’s Day. He said that Valentine was a priest who secretly married two lovers who wanted to start a family, even though the emperor had forbidden marriages.

Fr. Mugabe said that when it was discovered that Valentine had defied the emperor, he was arrested and later put to death on 14th February in the year 273. Because of this act of sacrifice and love, people began to celebrate Valentine’s Day in remembrance of love and commitment.

He added that Valentine’s Day should not only be for couples or those preparing for marriage, but for everyone. He encouraged people to show love by giving flowers to parents and teachers, paying school fees for orphans, and helping widows and the needy.

CUE IN…..FR. CLEOPHAS……RR/ENG

A health worker from Doctors’ Case Clinic, Dr. Emmanuel Tumuhimbise warned that excitement during Valentine’s celebrations often leads to risky sexual behavior, increasing the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. He urged youths to be responsible and encouraged the use of protection, including condoms.

CUE IN….EMMANUEL……RR//ENG

In the same spirit, Pius Akampurira, a youth from Rwenkurijo in Buyanja Sub-county, Rukungiri District, encouraged people to show love by helping the elderly, orphans, and other vulnerable members of the community.

CUE IN….PIUS….RR