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Health ministry permanent secretary Dr Diana Atwine has urged the youth to get back to the basics in a bid to stem the growing problem of HIV/AIDS infections among the youth. 

Atwine said abstinence is the most tried and tested method of HIV prevention and can still be relied upon by the country with the current generation of youth. 

She was speaking during the Adolescents and Young Pre-World AIDS Day conference held at Hotel Africa on Monday, November 27. 

At the event, Atwine heard that HIV/AIDS among adolescents was not falling fast as projected, with new HIV infections among the youth now reported to be double those in the general population. 

This is despite new HIV infections falling from a high of 7.3% to 5.4% last year. 

"Why have we lost it, why have things gone bad and what can we do? The secret lies in things our parents emphasised to us while we were growing up and we want to continue with them, “she said. 

Youth entertaining participants during the Adolescents and Young People World AIDS Day Pre Conference at Hotel Africana on November 27, 2023. (All Photos by Nancy Nanyonga)

"Please tame your bodies. You can, especially if you are able to know the benefits of waiting and living a pure life and you focus on your studies. There is a benefit when you go out there and test and find you are HIV-negative. 

“You need to commit that you will not acquire HIV and be reckless.” 

She noted that according to their statistics, 32% of young people don't know their status which has a serious impact on the country's fight against the scourge. 

"I want to thank young people who have been involved in reaching out to their peers to make sure they encourage them to get tested. And also those that tested to be linked to care and to ensure that those that linked to care continue on treatment and until they suppress the viral load." 

Each year, on 1 December, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world, including Uganda, unite to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. 

According to Atwine, celebrations this year will be held under the theme Let Communities Lead. 

According to UNAIDS, because change depends not on a moment but on a movement, the message Let Communities Lead will not only ring on one day. 

It will be at the core of activities that will build up across November, and see the release of the World AIDS Day Report – entitled Let Communities Lead – in late November, ahead of World AIDS Day on 1 December.