On Saturday, 08 August 2026, Phaneroo Ministries International celebrated its 12th anniversary, and, much like previous anniversaries, parts of the event stirred debate online. Plainly put, the ministry’s anniversaries and major events over the recent years have sparked controversy over its “miracles,” with none drawing as much criticism as the claims of divine healing through the laying on of hands, particularly on HIV/AIDS.

In video clips circulating from services at the Phaneroo Grounds in Naguru, the mega-church’s vision bearer, Apostle Grace Lubega, testifies to the flock about individuals who tested positive for the virus, received ministry, and later returned with multiple medical tests showing them “clean” – yes, HIV-negative.

Grace Lubega, a former banker who launched the fast-growing ministry in 2014, publicly frames these outcomes as evidence of the absolute power of God’s word, linking them to broader miracles of healing the blind, deaf and others through faith.

And while the debates over the church’s miracles, particularly the HIV healing, continued raging online, with health advocates and commentators strongly rejecting the claims as false and potentially dangerous, the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC), a statutory body established in 1992 to coordinate and oversee Uganda’s national HIV and AIDS response, stepped in.

On 11 August 2026, the Commission, posting on its official X page and tagging Phaneroo, the Church of Uganda, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, and the Seventh-day Adventists, refuted claims of HIV healing through prayer, stressing that such claims should be approached with medical caution and scientific evidence.

Although the statement does not mention Phaneroo or its leader, Apostle Grace Lubega, by name, its timing and subject have brought the Commission’s warning directly into the heated conversation surrounding the church’s healing testimonies.

Titled “Statement on Claims of HIV Healing Through Prayer,” the UAC statement leads by acknowledging the freedom of worship and the contribution of religious leaders in providing hope, counselling, compassion and support to people living with HIV. It then draws a line when it comes to claims about HIV diagnosis, treatment and cure.

“At present, there is no scientifically validated cure for HIV available for routine clinical use,” the Commission says.

While Lubega’s testimonies present negative HIV test results following prayer as evidence of healing, UAC says a negative result following an earlier positive diagnosis requires careful investigation of the original diagnosis, the tests used, the person’s treatment history and other clinical information before anyone can conclude that a person has been cured.

In the same statement, the Uganda AIDS Commission also warned people living with HIV against stopping or changing their treatment, advising them to continue taking Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) exactly as prescribed. It stressed that no one should discontinue treatment on the advice of a religious leader, family member or anyone else who is not responsible for their clinical care.