Historical Perspective of Uganda Healthcare Christian Fellowship (UHCF)
From 1960 – 1961, Dora Billington and Gloen Oliver saw that medical people needed a Christian fellowship. Gloen wrote to Francis Grim to ask his advice.
1962 September meeting in Br. Oliver's house to discuss forming a fellowship Dr. and Mrs. Billing ton, Mrs. Oliver, Sister Peggy Harsing, Margaret Bond.
It was agreed to start a fellowship calling it Hospital Christian Fellowship. These people made a committee. Francis Grim came to meet committee and a link was made with international hospital fellowship (base in South Africa).
1963, September Margaret Bond retired from Mengo and went on leave to UK but offered to committee members to return to serve in UHCF ministry.
In 1964 December, Margaret Bond returned as a traveling secretary. 1965- 1971, the first trip was planned, first being to Fort Portal, then to other centers, rural health centers. Prayer and news letters were sent out to dispensaries, leprosy centers etc.
A constitution was prepared by Mrs. Enid Sham, membership forms, budges, Christian and medical books were taken during the trips and sold to support the travelling secretary.
A few branches were formed and register of members started, for one or two times the conferences were attempted but attendance was very low. In this way, most parts of the country were covered by trips where medical centers were visited and UHCF be came known. However in 1971 Margaret Bond retired.
In 1971 – 75 Anne Twcross sent out by CMS and appointed as travelling secretary. Trips continued, many new members were registered and UHCF developed. Anne married Rev. K Birch and retired.
In 1975 – 77, Naomi Kafero, appointed CMS support had ended so the car was sold and the money paid Naomi for a time. There was no other finance so she could not visit up-country centers. As this was Amin’s period, contact with members and branches failed.
In 1979, the committee closed the office but some branches continued to meet. In 1980, Mr. Bernard Bakunda (now Rev) was appointed a UHCF Traveling Secretary. Visiting up-country hospitals and health centers was only possible by public means. He worked through immense difficulties at the time.
1981, March, management committee was formed with Bernard Bakunda as chairman and planned to meet monthly.
In October 1981, the first Annual General meeting was successful and the national committee was formed where Mr. David Komunda was elected chairman and chaired up to 1985. However, in 1982, it came clear to Bernard Bakunda that God was calling him to leave his job at Mulago hospital as a Medical Laboratory Technologist and move into full time work with UHCF.
In 1983, he moved from Mulago and started living in a small room at Namirembe Hill which acted as an office and accommodation for UHCF work. This was a time of great difficulties without means of transport or financial assistance, yet with prayer and of the committee; Bernard made travel programs by faith and moved to various places. It was in August this year that a powerful Annual Conference was held with over 200 UHCF members from most districts in Uganda. In September Bernard went for 7 months UHCF training in Holland.
It is important to note that in December 1984, Bernard Bakunda and Alice got married.
In the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and conference of 1985, Mr. David Thompson was elected chairman who steered up the committee until 1987 and handed over to Dr. Joseph Kigula-Mugambe who was a Radiologist at Mulago Hospital, in 1988.
In 1992, Dr. Joseph Kigula went to Germany for further studies and handed over to his vice Mr. Levi Odida, a tutor in the School of Medical Laboratory Technology, Mulago until Dr. Kigula came back in 1994 and continued serving up to 1995. In 1996, Mrs. Anne Wandera was elected as chairperson who served up to 2003 and handed over to Dr. Charles Wycliffe Matsiko who was elected a chairman three consecutive times and has served up to August 2011.
All this time, Mr. Bernard Bakunda (now Rev) was General Secretary up to 2009 June when a second General Secretary Mr. Mukasa Gaurd was appointed.
Thanks go to a number of volunteers and regional coordinators who have tirelessly served for all this period. These include among others, Mrs. Anne Wandera who served as chairperson, chairperson and advisor, Mr. Erasmus Omodo who served as eastern region coordinator and later as vice general secretary, Mr. Moses Batwala (now Dr) who also served as a coordinator for a long time and later as vice general secretary, Mr. Leonard Isodo, Mr. Stephen Mutyaba who served as treasurer for a very long time, Mr. Stephen Musoke also served as a treasurer, Mr and Mrs. Michael Aninge (looked after the property of UHCF in Makindye), Miss. Rachael Guttabingi, Mrs. Rachael Kansiime and many supporters who were doing God's work monthly; like Dr. Michael Kawooya served as vice chair, and many others.
The volunteers who were 4 in number were trained in HCF ministry, these included; Mr. Erasmus Omodo, Mr. Moses Batwala who is now a doctor, Mr. Leonard Isodo who is now ordained as a reverend, Mr. Bernard Bakunda who is also ordained Reverend. These members up to date are still strong members of UHCF and committee members.
Not only has UHCF expanded in ministry but it has also been blessed with plots on Namirembe Hill where the head offices are and Current General Secretary staying, Makindye which has two houses being rented and 2 acres of free land at Buloba all for potential development.
Vision
A transformed Healthcare system providing Spiritual and Medical services
Mission
To implement the Great Commission in the Health field and the Communities of Uganda through Prayer, Evangelism, and Discipleship training
UHCF Objectives
Professionally, members of the Head Team cooperate as they care for the body of the patient. UHCF unites the medical personnel in order to care for the whole person. UHCF objectives are realized through Team work (Action Team) which comprises six objectives:-
- To win Medical Personnel to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
- To disciple and train the Christian medical staff, those working in the health field and medical students to be faithful witnesses for Christ among their colleagues and patients.
- UHCF unites all the Christian medical staffs and students through prayer, fellowships, Evangelism, seminars and conferences.
- UHCF reaches out to the communities through Community Based Healthcare Programs.
- To encourage and equip the churches to be involved in visiting, caring and witnessing to the sick.
- UHCF acts as a link between the healthcare field and the churches involved in ministering to the sick.
- UHCF promotes Total Patient Care and Total Community Care.