Museveni down plays condoms
Jul 12, 2004
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday stunned delegates at the international AIDS conference in Bangkok, Thailand, when he said condoms were not the answer to AIDS
By Charles Wendo and John Odyek in Bangkok
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday stunned delegates at the international AIDS conference in Bangkok, Thailand, when he said condoms were not the answer to AIDS.
Museveni said Uganda had achieved a big reduction in HIV infection rates mainly due to abstinence among youths, faithfulness among adults and to a small extent, condom use.
He said Uganda had the lowest per capita condom use in sub-Saharan Africa but had achieved the biggest reduction in HIV infection.
He said Uganda used condoms as an improvised and not an ultimate solution to AIDS. He said condoms institutionalised mistrust in sexual relationships, disturbed some African sexual styles and might not be used consistently by some people such as drunkards.
“In some cultures sexual intercourse is so elaborate that condoms are a hindrance and therefore a frustration,†he said, attracting wild laughter.
“People assume that all the people of the world have sex the same way. There is a big variety,†he added. The remarks surprised delegates, who had been fed with views that the condom was the magic bullet, while condom campaigners protested.
But Museveni continued, “We don’t think we can become universally condomised. However, if you cannot abstain or be faithful, then you should use the condom. It would be condemning such people to death if you oppose the condom,†he added.
Museveni, renowned worldwide for his campaign against HIV/AIDS, delivered the speech at the first plenary session.
On Sunday he attracted thunderous applause when he was introduced at the opening ceremony, where he sat with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, film star Richard Gere and Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins.
After his speech, Museveni was supposed to go to the Ugandan stall but abandoned it because the stall was still empty. (Full story on National).
He was chauffeured back to his hotel, disappointing scores of delegates, who were anxious to learn about Uganda’s magic.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni yesterday stunned delegates at the international AIDS conference in Bangkok, Thailand, when he said condoms were not the answer to AIDS.
Museveni said Uganda had achieved a big reduction in HIV infection rates mainly due to abstinence among youths, faithfulness among adults and to a small extent, condom use.
He said Uganda had the lowest per capita condom use in sub-Saharan Africa but had achieved the biggest reduction in HIV infection.
He said Uganda used condoms as an improvised and not an ultimate solution to AIDS. He said condoms institutionalised mistrust in sexual relationships, disturbed some African sexual styles and might not be used consistently by some people such as drunkards.
“In some cultures sexual intercourse is so elaborate that condoms are a hindrance and therefore a frustration,†he said, attracting wild laughter.
“People assume that all the people of the world have sex the same way. There is a big variety,†he added. The remarks surprised delegates, who had been fed with views that the condom was the magic bullet, while condom campaigners protested.
But Museveni continued, “We don’t think we can become universally condomised. However, if you cannot abstain or be faithful, then you should use the condom. It would be condemning such people to death if you oppose the condom,†he added.
Museveni, renowned worldwide for his campaign against HIV/AIDS, delivered the speech at the first plenary session.
On Sunday he attracted thunderous applause when he was introduced at the opening ceremony, where he sat with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, film star Richard Gere and Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins.
After his speech, Museveni was supposed to go to the Ugandan stall but abandoned it because the stall was still empty. (Full story on National).
He was chauffeured back to his hotel, disappointing scores of delegates, who were anxious to learn about Uganda’s magic.