Hoima launches anti-HIV/AIDS campaign

Feb 14, 2016

"I am happy I'm HIV negative and I am going to convince my wife to also come for counselling and testing," Luke Wanchan, a motorcycle rider said.


The Boda-boda riders in Hoima town have joined an HIV/AIDS campaign dubbed Fast track cities aimed at ending the epidemic by 2020.

The campaign was launched by the woman councilor Hoima municipality, Cissy Rwabugoma who called on residents to go for HIV counselling and testing to know their status.

She encouraged pregnant women to go for HIV testing to ensure that they eliminate mother to child transmission (EMTCT) in case they are positive and start early treatment on ARVs.

 oima woman councillor issy wabugoma left in a procession during the launch of fast track cities  campaign along ukarato oad in oima district Hoima woman councillor, Cissy Rwabugoma (left) in a procession during the launch of fast track cities HIV campaign along Rukarato Road in Hoima district.

 

The campaign was preceded by a procession beginning from Bunyoro Kitara headquarters through Rukurato road before joining Kibaki road and ended at Kiryatete, a slum where HIV counselling and testing was conducted.

It was organized by Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at Local Level (AMICAALL).

The Boda-boda riders donning light green jacket reflectors joined the procession led by Radiant brass band and urged fellow colleagues to grab the opportunity of free HIV counselling and testing.

"I am happy I'm HIV negative and I am going to convince my wife to also come for counselling and testing," Luke Wanchan, a motorcycle rider said.

James Mbabazi hinted that Boda-boda riders are always perceived by the public as the most vulnerable people but he denied the allegations.

 adiant brass band during a procession to launch fast track cities  campaign Radiant brass band during a procession to launch fast track cities HIV campaign

 
"We also value our lives and therefore, know the dangers of disease," Magara said.

He said his group of Boda-boda riders would continue spreading the message of ‘beware of HIV/AIDS dangers and persons who are positive should stop spreading the disease.

The exercise attracted slum dwellers as they thronged for free HIV testing.

Men and women dashed out from the video hall in Kiryatete for HIV testing.   

 ome of the people who turned up for  counselling and testing at iryatete slum in oima district Some of the people who turned up for HIV counselling and testing at Kiryatete slum in Hoima district.

 
Charles Owekomeno, AMICAALL project officer pointed out that the fast track cities HIV campaign aims at achieving 90-90-90 targets by 2020.

He explained that the first 90 is to ensure that 90% of people are tested while the second one is to put 90% of those found positive on ARVs and the last 90 is to ensure that 90% who are on ARVs have the capability of suppressing the viral load so that they don't transmit the disease.

 odaboda riders blood drawn for  testing at iryatete slum in oima district A Boda-boda rider's blood drawn for HIV testing at Kiryatete slum in Hoima district.

 

 oima woman councilor issy wabugomas blood drawn for  testing Hoima woman councilor, Cissy Rwabugoma's blood drawn for HIV testing

 

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