Uganda on Thursday, December 1, 2022, joined the rest of the World to mark World AIDS day and to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic and remember those who have died of the “slim disease”.
“It is approximately 41 years since the first case of AIDS was discovered in Uganda in Kalisizo hospital (coming from the shores of Lake Victoria in Rakai District,” President Museveni stated on his Twitter handle.
Speaking during World AIDS Day in Rukungiri on Thursday, 1st December 2022, the Director General of Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr Nelson Musoba, said through the Presidential Fast Track Initiative (PFTI) for ending AIDS as a public threat in Uganda by 2030, they managed to come up with various interventions that have since enabled the country to register tremendous progress in combating the virus.
“In 2020, Uganda was among the 10 countries in Africa that achieved the United Nations Programs on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)” 90,90,90″ target to help end the scourge by 2030,” Dr Musoba said.
The UNAIDS “90,90,90” target means 90 percent of all people living with HIV enrolled on treatment and 90 percent of those on Antiretroviral Therapy will have an undetectable viral load by 2020.
Dr Musoba however noted that ending HIV by 2030 will require a strong and well-coordinated multi-sectoral response.
“Young people are with us and have contributed a lot in this fight. With concerted teamwork and support, we shall be able to achieve our goal.”
The UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda, Mrs Susan Ngongi Namondo, called for a renewed push to scale down HIV infections in the country.
“Let us double our efforts, and increase finances to boost the gains so far achieved in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” Mrs Namondo urged.
“Your Excellency, your leadership in HIV response is recognized all over the world. You’re the first leader who realised that the fight against HIV/ AIDS needed political leadership and 30 years ago you created the first AIDS Commission in the world,” she lauded.
The Resident Coordinator also underscored the need to address the HIV/ AIDS information gap to create awareness about the virus.
“Young people face incredible pressure from their peers to engage in sexual activities and when it comes to contracting the virus young girls are four times more likely to be infected than boys. Some people are being left out, we must ensure that these vulnerable group also attain their right to health,” she said.
The Deputy Chief of Mission, United States of America-Mission Kampala, Mr William D Bent, said government and other stakeholders should address the inequalities experienced by children and women living with HIV/AIDS, saying that this will help to overcome the discrimination and stigma faced by the vulnerable groups.
“Knowing your status must be a target for everyone. The time has come to act so that we put an end to HIV. We must also amplify the voices of people living with the virus,” Mr Bent stated.
He also reaffirmed USA’s commitment to helping Uganda fight HIV.
“We have made remarkable strides since the first World AIDS Day commemoration 34 years ago. These advances are largely based on the advocacy of people living with HIV, community-based organizations working in areas most affected by HIV, and collaboration and partnership between governments, public-sector partners, multilateral institutions, and non-governmental, academic, and philanthropic organizations. The U.S. government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is proud to have been on the forefront of advancing HIV epidemic control for nearly 20 years,” he said.
“Uganda’s investment in the HIV response is critical to long-term sustainability. Approximately 85% of Uganda’s HIV/AIDS response is externally funded, posing a major sustainability challenge. Domestic resource mobilization is vital going forward and together as partners, we need to focus on finding more sustainable strategies– this means mobilizing additional domestic and external funding but also seeking efficiencies in the use of our current funding.”
The Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS and related matters also Luuka South County MP, Kisa Stephen, tasked the youth to guard their lives jealously to avoid contracting the deadly virus.
“Parents should pay keen attention and adequately talk to their children. The government has been talking to Ugandans to embrace patriotism, it should also talk to them to embrace responsible parenting. Your Excellency, the fight against HIV in the world cannot be complete without mentioning your name,” Hon. Kisa said.
On behalf of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), Bishop Patrick Tugume from North Kigezi Diocese, called upon stakeholders to address the social systematic inequalities, which will enable all people including the vulnerable groups to have access to proven health services like HIV medications.
“I appeal to all leaders to work towards the defeat of enemies of human lives like HIV,” Bishop Tugume said.
The Rukungiri District LC5 Chairperson, Mr Geoffrey Kyomukama, also thanked the NRM government under the able leadership of President Museveni for stepping up the fight against HIV/AIDS which has seen a reduction in the prevalence rate across the country.
“In Rukungiri we have 18,000 active cases who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Out of these, 63 percent are females and 37 percent are males. This indicates that this disease is around but we thank you Your Excellency for your tremendous efforts in fighting the disease,” Mr. Kyomukama said.
By end of 2021, Uganda had an estimated 1.4 million people living with HIV, AIDS-related deaths had declined by 67% from 51,000 in 2010 to 17,000 and new HIV infections had declined by 39% from 88,000 in 2010 to 54,000 (Uganda 2022 HIV Epidemiological Estimates).
On the other hand, about 1,000 people get infected with HIV every week and about 326 people die weekly due to AIDS-related deaths.
Infections among young people (15 -24 years) accounted for 37% of all new HIV infections in the year 2021, with new infections occurring three times more among young girls compared to boys in the same period. (MOH Annual estimates 2021).