Scholars, medical professionals, and faith leaders gathered at Kyambogo University on March 5-6, 2025, for the highly anticipated Faith and Health Conference 2025, a forum that delved into the complex relationship between religion and healthcare in East-Central Africa.
Themed “Good Health and Well-Being: The Intersection of Faith and Healing Practices in East-Central Africa,” the conference provided a platform for engaging discussions on how faith influences medical decisions, healing practices, and healthcare policies.
This groundbreaking event was organized by Kyambogo University, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, Mzuzu University (Malawi), and the University of Livingstonia (Malawi). With East-Central Africa’s rich spiritual traditions and recurring health challenges, the conference sought to bridge the gap between biomedical science and faith-based healing methods.
Attendees explored how spiritual beliefs shape medical interventions, the persistence of indigenous healing alongside modern healthcare, and the evolving role of faith-based organizations in public health. Experts also examined how religion factored into pandemic responses, particularly during COVID-19, when many turned to prayer, herbal remedies, and divine healing in defiance of mainstream medical guidelines.
Thought-Provoking Keynote Addresses
The conference featured an impressive lineup of keynote speakers who captivated audiences with their insights:
- Prof. Emma Wild-Wood, PhD – Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of World Christianity, University of Edinburgh, who discussed how faith communities have historically navigated health crises in Africa.
- Dr. Yahaya Hills Kagali Sekagya, MD, PhD – A medical doctor and traditional healer, who emphasized the role of indigenous medicine in contemporary healthcare systems.
- Dr. Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka, MD, PhD – Senior Lecturer at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, who explored the intersection of religion and HIV/AIDS treatment policies.
- Assoc. Prof. James Mugisha, PhD – Dean of the Faculty of Social Science at Kyambogo University, who examined mental health stigma and the role of faith-based interventions.
Key Discussions and Outcomes
Panel discussions and roundtables covered a range of pressing topics, including:
- The history of medicine, disease, and faith-based healing – Experts traced the evolution of traditional healing and its interaction with Western medicine.
- Trust and mistrust in state health interventions – Scholars examined the public’s reliance on faith leaders over medical experts in times of crisis.
- Faith and activism in healthcare – Religious groups’ role in advocating for healthcare rights and access to medical services was explored.
- Spiritualism and ‘alternative’ medicine – A heated debate arose on the risks and benefits of non-biomedical healing approaches.
The event also addressed the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), emphasizing the need for inclusive healthcare models that acknowledge the spiritual dimensions of healing.
Participants left the conference with renewed perspectives on the interplay between faith, medicine, and policy. Many expressed a growing interest in fostering collaborations between traditional healers, medical practitioners, and faith leaders to create holistic healthcare systems.
As the discussions continue beyond the conference, experts are calling for further research and dialogue on faith-based health interventions, ensuring that religion is neither dismissed nor misused in healthcare delivery.
