"Let's always endeavor to give help to orphans if we are able"- ED Kisaka while launching Dr. Watiti's AIDS Book.

While launching the AIDS/HIV book written by Dr. Watiti, Kampala City Executive Director, Dr. Dorothy Kisaka called upon the nation to always support the orphans when in position, most especially the ones whose parents have died of HIV. 

The launching of the book took place on the 11th of May 2024 at the presidential auditorium, in kampala city.

While making her remarks as the Chief guest Dr. Kisaka thanked Dr. Watiti for his endless campaigns in fights HIV. 

"You've made us proud with your stories and your educative books, I've always loved to read Dr. Kitutu's books because they are interesting, Dr. Watiti has been a minister of the truth, he has been a role model, most especially as far as fighting HIV/AIDS is concerned"-ED. Kisaka.

Kisaka further noted that we  need to learn as a community and nation at large when it comes to fighting HIV. 

"The gift of life should not be something we should take lightly and I am God's child, let's always treasure it and this is what Dr Watiti's book is teaching us"- ED. Kisaka.

While concluding, Kisaka celebrated Dr Watiti, noting that the books he writes are a pure Ugandan story of how the AIDS epidemic has been tackled and how one young medical doctor deals with the effects of the disease and grief and teaches others to do the same. 

"individuals’ stories with HIV, are not shared --- Thank you for teaching, may God give us the grace to learn"- Dr. Kisaka.

Complete speech from Mildmay Uganda:

You are a remarkable person, Dr. Watiti; very down-to-earth in nature, and you connect easily with people at all levels. And many have asked severally  – Oba akikola atya?? Reading the messages from your colleagues I think I know the answer,... it can only be the Holy Spirit at work in you. 

And this is what they said

I quote----- and the incorporation of a spiritual touch in his work serves as a great inspiration to those around him".

Staying motivated while living with HIV is a daily struggle. By living the way you have Stephen, our conclusion is that you must derive your energies from Christ...

And another said –this is true He was my spiritual mentor in Nabumali  -----His walk of faith is real. 

Another -----I love his friendship with Christ..he openly professes it ---I have never forgotten when he said to us I live every day as if its my last day but also as if I still have a hundred years of life ahead to serve, this makes me ensure I never leave home without putting things right with my wife, I never want to regret when I can't make it up to her anymore in case I can't make it back home anymore"

Today we are here to share your experience of ageing with HIV. These are the voices from the desk of the Young PLHIV at Mildmay Uganda –

Dr. Watiti, you are a great inspiration to the adolescents living with HIV. We now believe we can age gracefully."Our greatest weakness lies in giving up". You have encouraged us to step up and love our positive life.

The young people always ask, " Will I grow as old as Dr. Watiti?", and the answer we give them always is *YES*.

Dear Dr. Watiti, you are amazing, your story has not only benefited your home country. You have inspired many in the African region and beyond through your active participation in regional and international spaces. Keep it up! We are following. 

Dr. Watiti, Your humility humbles me! I have seen God love man through you

You are a pillar of hope in this fight against HIV, You are that light at the end of the tunnel

You stand tall next to men like Mandela. In you, is the fight for freedom, peace, love, and hope 

Dr. Watiti, you are a great Teacher, Counselor Mentor, Role Model, and Parent! 

Your active engagement with the students at the Mildmay Institute of Health Sciences has not gone unnoticed – ‘Thank you for the encouragement you give us that has made us great educationists in HIV management! Keep going - Eyalama noi noi.

Dr. Watiti --- these are some of the voices from your colleagues in the Clinics.  Dr Watiti is the one who sharpened my skills in managing very complex Cases...I am glad that together we did put a smile on so many patients' faces and they live to testify. 

Stephen, you have made Masaba land proud! --- You probably know where that is coming from Stephen ------, You have displayed that that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. 

 You have inspired and impacted many lives through your books and articles in the media. Thank you for your contribution to managing the HIV epidemic. May God continue to keep you and your family well. 

Dr Watiti you stand at the top as a ‘dad of hope’ among those who are almost giving up.

Dr. Watiti, you have broken all the rules in the book to save human life, you have sacrificed your own life to give hope to the hopeless and you have opened your own life to give courage to the desperate ones. Thank you.

Dr. Watiti, you are brave. Probably one of the bravest people I've ever come across.

Thank you for creating a wonderful environment for PLHIV.

Quote ---Back then (2007), when I had just joined MU, I always feared picking those 'thick' files for older patients in the adult clinic. These patients usually had many social problems. I knew, as a fresh doctor, I was very incapable of handling them ( with my very little experience). In those moments, I would quickly walk to Dr. Watiti's office and gently place the file on his table. He always accepted and graciously saw those patients who usually came out of his office happier than they would have been if I had seen them. He had all the time and experience to sort their clinical, social, and faith-based problems. Thank you so much, Papa. You made my early clinical years very easy. And your presence during the morning chapel blessed us all. May God continue to bless you and your family. 

I love this saying from Eleanor Roosevelt  ‘Today is the oldest you have ever been, and the youngest you will ever be again’- 

Stephen, you are happy, and creative, you are an inspiration – you cared less about what people expected of you and focused your time and energy on what you knew needed to be done!

You coveted influence rather than power. Even at the height of your influence, you have remained steadfast in your acknowledgment of God's help on this journey. For that, He has satisfied you with a long life. Happy Celebrations on this grand achievement. 

Quote - Dr. Watiti, you are gifted:spiritually, socially, academically, and professionally.

This celebration is a testament that God did not only grant King Solomon wisdom, but he does to whoever remains faithful and steadfast.

Eh, Stephen, you are standing with great men – first I heard Mandela, now King Solomon --- I bow------

Friends I hope I have done your messages to Stephen good justice—and now allow me to add  ...here a little of my own experience.

In the cycle that hired Stephen as Clinic Manager at Mildmay Uganda, I too was hired as a full-time Medical Officer in the Clinic. Before that, I had been a sessional doctor coming in only two days a week. I worked at a Private Hospital before coming to Mildmay Uganda and usually I love structure and systems-----Stephen was the clinic manager, and therefore my BOSS. But I just could not understand why he would break all the ‘rules’ in QUOTES --- to reach that one patient. 

In those early days for example we used to make rules like if you missed your appointment, with no communication when you came in we would give you a few tablets and give you the next available appointment date......Believe it or not –YES we used to make such rules--- supposedly to manage the clinic numbers (600 or more clients per day). These clients would call Stephen on the side, and they would come straight to his room, he would listen to them, he would understand them, and give them their drugs ....He used his heart and not just his head and was consistent. It looked like there was the system and then there was Watiti----and sometimes that was very frustrating. 

I recall a specific incident where I vehemently brought up the issue of the need to ‘teach clients to adhere to their appointments’ as a critical factor in managing the exponential numbers. Stephen looked at this young, passionate but also very inexperienced doctor --- watching the systems and not necessarily the clients. In his wisdom, he gave me a new appointment – a Medical Officer-in-Charge of Quality. It was a new title, it only applied to the Clinic and not the organizational structure but this recognition of my passion from my Manager quickly got me got me in line to sit at this feet as Clinic Manager and soon I  learned that Quality must be as perceived by the client and not just the provider. Stephen, I haven’t told you this story before but that was a turning point in my career – and you have been teaching us at Mildmay since then to listen and follow our clients rather than just manage our clinics. 

Stephen served as Clinic Manager till January 2008

In recognition of the critical need to bridge the gap between medicine and spirituality in the context of HIV, he was appointed FBO coordinator for 2 years till September 2010 and after that, Advocacy and PR Manager till January 2013. Our systems at Mildmay Uganda have learned a lot from you Stephen. Stephen has continued in care at Mildmay even after his staff contract ended. He remains a very active member of the team. 

When we started an elderly HIV clinic so many years ago, he led it at the time this was app.  11% of the client population. This proportion grows as the impact of an effective eMTCT program becomes more manifest. Fewer children are born with HIV but still no cure in the face of life-preserving ART, therefore more people aging with HIV. 

The relevance of your book, and your testimony, cannot be underscored. You cheated death and now you have beaten the world at life.    

Dr Karamagi the ED of Mildmay Uganda was not able to be here today. 

But this is her message. Dr. Watiti you are a testament to many great milestones. 

A modern-day hero, mentor, author, doctor, comedian!!, a father, a husband, a grandpa!! The list goes on. 

Mildmay Uganda and all the IPs who have been privileged to work with you or have benefitted from the impact of your work, are proud to be associated with you.

We share in the joy and journey of your achievements and soldier on with you.  

We hope that the people who read this book will be inspired and spurred to beat the odds no matter what!! Because that's what you do. 

And lastly Stephen a friend of yours said this about you. 

You are Authentic, and a son of encouragement!

I add, may it be counted to you as righteousness. 

God promised and He has established the work of your hands!

Thank You.