By Chris Ahimbisibwe

THE chairman of the parliamentary HIV/AIDS committee has appealed to men to embrace circumcision to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

“There is nothing to lose when you remove the fore skin of the penis. Men who are not circumcised are more prone to HIV/AIDS,” Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye said on Saturday.

The Sheema North MP was addressing his constituents at Clinka guest house in Kabwohe town, Bushenyi district.

Tumwesigye noted that attempts to make circumcision compulsory for men had failed because of the misconception that it was a practice only for Muslims.

“The Protestants and Catholics claim everyone will become a Muslim.”

He commended the Government’s interventions against HIV/AIDS, saying the prevalence of the disease had gone down.

Tumwesigye distributed T-shirts bearing anti-HIV/AIDS messages and urged people living with the disease to wear them at all times to encourage others to go for testing to establish their sero status.

You should not be shy of looking for HIV/AIDS services.”

Tumwesigye revealed that his committee was drafting a policy on punishing parents who do not care for children living with the virus.

“Some parents, who are on HIV treatment, are not willing to take their children for anti-retroviral therapy.”