KABAKA | HIV | DISCRIMINATION

KAMPALA - The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, has urged communities not to stigmatise and discriminate against people living with HIV, but to support them.

“Although there is impressive progress in the reduction of new HIV infections, we must redouble our efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination of people living with, and affected by HIV,” Mutebi stated in his World AIDs Day message on December 1, 2022.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 2022, there has been a decrease of more than 50% in new HIV infections in Buganda in the last five years.

This, according to the Kabaka means Buganda region which has the highest HIV burden in the country, has marked a reduction in new HIV infections. 

He said out of many people who test positive for HIV in Buganda, 92% are on treatment, up from 64, five years ago.

The Uganda population-based HIV impact assessment 2020/2021 (UPHIA) indicates that South Buganda had the highest HIV prevalence at 8.1% with Ssese Islands recording the highest prevalence at 16.2% and Wakiso district with the highest HIV infection rate.

Kabaka also encouraged men to test for HIV and the affected to access health sustenance-related services.

“Let’s continue to prioritize health in all our community engagements with nearly all functions being preceded with health camps where HIV screening is carried out. We also hope to continue having engagements in the Islands to prevent the spreading of HIV,” he said.

The Kabaka said during World AIDs Day, Ugandans should remember those who have died of HIV/AIDS and reflect on the campaign to stem the spread of the virus.

Mutebi said the Kingdom dedicated the last three years of the Kabaka’s birthday run to the fight against the HIV/AIDS scourge, which intensified sensitization and awareness on HIV prevention measures, especially among the men.

“We have also scaled up HIV prevention interventions through traditional sensitization fireplaces (Ebyoto) conducted in all the 18 counties that make up the Kingdom of Buganda,” he disclosed.

Ebola

In the wake of Ebola outbreak and the end-of-year festivities, the Kabaka urged Ugandans to stay safe by following the standard operating procedures issued by the health officials and taking an HIV test to know their status.

He also advised those on antiretroviral (ARVs) to continue taking their medication to ensure that the viral load in their bodies is suppressed.

Appreciation

Mutebi thanked the UNAIDS and UN agencies for their role and efforts in the promotion of better health and determination to eradicate the spread of HIV/AIDS.

“We thank all our partners for supporting our initiatives towards prevention and treatment of people affected with the HIOV virus. We ought to continue with all our efforts so that AIDS may be banished from Uganda by 2030,” he stated.