HIV/Aids activists in Uganda marked this year's World Aids Day on December 1, decrying the growing complacency especially among young people towards the virus.
Under the global theme; Global solidarity, shared responsibility the day's commemorations were organized by Reach Hand Uganda at Victoria University in Kampala with teachers urged not to tire from educating learners on how to prevent contracting the virus.
In the late 1980s, more than 30 per cent of Ugandans were infected with the HIV virus. Now the national rate is around 6.4%, an achievement attributed largely to the country's rapid acknowledgement of the crisis it faced.
However, Dr. Daniel Byamukama, head of HIV prevention at Uganda Aids Commission called upon the young people to avoid self-stigma and discriminating against HIV positive people. He further them to make informed, safe choices.
"It is not a time for judgment but a time for solidarity. Let us kick HIV/AIDS out of Uganda. It is possible and we can do it," said Byamukama.
Byamukama added that there is a need to have integration of health services, retraining health workers to help out with the fight against HIV/AIDs and other diseases so as to maximize the little resources we have as a nation.
Despite setbacks, he said Uganda is on track of achieving achieve the global goal of bringing an end to HIV/AIDs by 2030.
"2020 is a landmark towards 2030 strategy. Progress towards 2030 is a mixed picture, and we know we're lagging behind in some areas but thankfully, we're on track. We, however, have to utilize all the tools we have to deliver because they're available.
According to Byamukama more young people have continued to have sex without using condoms but the infection rate has gone down this year to 5.8% from 6.2 %"
"The biggest gap as to why many young fall short of knowing their statuses is because of stigma and discrimination towards the people infected with HIV. If we are to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030, this gap must be closed," said Dr Byamukama.
Rtd. Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga who has lived with HIV/Aids for 36 years said that there is a need to bring down new HIV infections in Uganda and that it is important for people to take charge of their sexuality through safe sex.
Ruranga also urged all the positive people who are living with the virus to always carry their ARVS because they are their lifeline just like he does every time everywhere and also eat well.
"I have six children and a mother who are not infected. What you need is to get knowledge, it was scary at the time that talking about it people could run away from you starting with my colleagues in the army," said Ruranga.
He said he has lived with HIV for all these years and yet some of his other friends died of other diseases besides the virus, noting that it was it is because of his discipline, seriousness, good nutrition habits, regular exercises among others.
Hajara Asiimwe who was born with HIV/AIDs gave her life story of how she has faced stigma from her own family which prompted her to stop taking medication and even attempted to commit suicide. But with the help of a peer supporter, she was able to get back on track which changed her life significantly to who she is today.
"We need each other to overcome the stigmatization of people living with HIV. Peer support is very important," said Asiimwe.
Just like Asiimwe, Akumu was also discriminated against by her own family members because of being HIV positive.
"They used to give me a lot of counseling and I used to take a lot of medication and I was the only one in the family taking it. I used to ask myself what's wrong with me until I was told that I have HIV," Akumu said.
"I had a friend whose relative died of AIDs. She one day saw me taking tablets like those of her relative and that's how she found out I had HIV. She went and told everyone at school and at some point, I had to quit school," she added.
During an interview with the chairperson of Uganda National Teachers Union Mitooma district Dennis Turyomwe said that most people have forgotten that HIV still exists and kills.
The event also was concluded with entertainment performances from some of Uganda's entertainers like Azawi, Nutty Neithan, comedy duo Madrat, and Chiko who raised awareness campaigns through their jokes that left the crowd laughing out loud. Other acts of the night include Darxx Kartel and Karole Kasita.
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