Uganda’s police plan to use radio appeals to identify the victims of a so-called “miracle cure”, made from industrial bleach. The dangerous substance, marketed as Miracle Mineral Solution, is believed to have been supplied through a network of Pentecostal churches in western Uganda.
According to an article published by the UK’s Guardian newspaper, tens of thousands of Ugandans may have taken the chemical under the illusion that it could treat diseases like malaria, cancer and even HIV/AIDS.
Ugandan authorities say they are looking for an American pastor accused of distributing the chemical. However, the US embassy in Kampala says it does not believe the pastor is in the country, and it is not clear how Ugandan authorities would reach him for questioning.
The US embassy has condemned the sale of the so-called miracle drug.
The US Embassy in Kampala posted on its official twitter handle: “The U.S. Mission is aware of reports that an American pastor based remotely is distributing a substance called “Miracle Mineral Solution” to churches in Uganda. We strongly condemn the distribution of this substance, which is extremely dangerous and is NOT a cure for any disease.”
Pentecostal churches selling so-called “miracle cures” are popular in Uganda but they are rarely investigated.
-BBC
