Rwandan Preacher Apologizes After Sermon Links Nurses and Midwives to Witchcraft
KIGALI — Apostle Dr. Paul Gitwaza, founder and senior pastor of Authentic Word Ministries and Zion Temple Celebration Center, has apologized after a video clip from an August sermon linked many nurses and midwives to a spirit of witchcraft.
The clip, which began circulating widely on social media around October 6, comes from a sermon Gitwaza delivered on August 7 at Zion Temple Celebration Center. In the recording, he is heard saying in Kinyarwanda: “Umwuka w’abarozi uba mu baforomo benshi, bariya babyaza, satani arabaplaça hariya.” The remark has been translated as stating that a spirit of witchcraft is present in many nurses and midwives and that Satan has placed it there.
Online criticism followed, with viewers describing the comments as disrespectful to healthcare workers and lacking evidence. Gitwaza is one of Rwanda’s better-known preachers, and Zion Temple is among the country’s larger congregations.
On October 7, Authentic Word Ministries/Zion Temple Celebration Center issued a communiqué signed by Gitwaza. The church said it became aware of the circulating clip on October 6 and acknowledged that the remarks had been understood as disrespectful. “However, we acknowledge that the words used caused hurt and concern,” the statement said. It added that there was no intention to insult, undermine, or devalue nurses, midwives, or any other profession, and offered a sincere apology to those affected.
The church noted its previous collaborations with health professionals in community programs and said it holds nurses and midwives in high regard for their role in saving lives and supporting families. Leaders said they had contacted representatives of the professions to express regret and agreed to continue dialogue aimed at strengthening cooperation and public trust.
The Rwanda Nurses and Midwives Union responded the following day. In a statement dated October 8 and signed by President Andre Gitembagara, the union said it received the video “with regret.” It described the message as dishonoring the nursing and midwifery profession and capable of damaging its public image and the communities it serves. The statement highlighted nurses’ and midwives’ contributions to quality care and to reductions in maternal and child mortality in Rwanda.
RNMU leadership met with Zion Temple leaders on October 7. The union said it recognizes the church’s apology as “a step towards restoring respect and honor” of the profession and looks forward to further positive steps.
The church’s communiqué did not restate or explicitly retract the original claim. Public reactions on social media have been mixed, with some accepting the apology and others calling for a clearer withdrawal of the remarks.
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