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KAMPALA - Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have painted a worrying picture of Uganda's fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly among young people.

In a position paper presented to the Parliamentary HIV/AIDS Committee this week, CSOs highlighted critical issues hindering progress.

Inadequate domestic funding topped the list of concerns. CSOs argue that current funding levels are insufficient to effectively address the HIV/AIDS problem. 

This lack of resources is further compounded by an unequal distribution, leaving some areas underserved according to the CSOs.

AHF Uganda Cares led a delegation of partners that included Joy for Children, Africa Youth Development Link, Reach A Hand Uganda, and other HIV/AIDS youth champions to meet with Members of Parliament (MPs) to discuss pressing concerns that impede full achievement of the 95-95-95 goals in the AIDS response, particularly among young people.

AHF Uganda Cares Country Program Director, Henry Magala, said that another major concern is the limited access to Adolescent and Youth Health Services. This lack of services, he said, creates a gap in prevention, education, and treatment for young people, a key demographic in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The issue of period poverty also found its way onto the agenda. Magala emphasized the need to address this critical barrier, as it can force young women into transactional sex, increasing their risk of contracting HIV.

“Additionally, the implementation of the recently passed tax waiver for young women, aimed at alleviating period poverty, requires urgent action,” he said.

Testimonies on the status and plight of HIV/AIDS-infected persons
Girls Act Leader, Jimbo Shanurah, gave a testimony on living with HIV as a young woman, saying “stigma and discrimination remain a persistent challenge for young people living with HIV.”

Jimbo who appreciated the initiatives of Uganda Cares mentioned that she has gained sanitary pads, was sponsored in education, and has been taught in leadership, and has grown in confidence.

But she called for the need for scale-up for this. Jimbo also called for safe spaces for youth in the youth-friendly corners, emphasizing that this is very important for psychosocial support, challenging stigma, and peer learning among others.

Peer Leader, Marian Jessica, gave a testimony on being a young mother living with HIV. Marian Jessica called for sex education. She mentioned that young people do not know how to handle sexuality because parents are too shy to talk about it.

She also called for sanitary pads to be free of charge, further noting that HIV stigma in schools is indeed still a very serious concern that needs to be addressed urgently.

Nairah Zawedde, a young person living with HIV, urged parliament to address these issues, in order to promote a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Namara Barbra from Joy for Children appreciated Injectable PrEP and mentioned its impact in improving adherence. She mentioned the lack of sanitary pads as one of the drivers encouraging cross-generational sex.

CSOs highlighted an information gap in HIV. They urged the need for parliament to spread more awareness of HIV through radio, TV, and print among others.

They also mentioned the impact of taxes on household income. “Reverse taxes that have an impact on household income. These taxes fuel poverty which leads to vulnerability in acquiring HIV/AIDS,” Magala said.

Drug resistance challenges

Hillary Nuwamanya Youth representative at the Global Fund, raised a point on Drug resistance. Poor retention is an issue among young people.

“HIV stigma and discrimination, lack of youth-friendly services, less prioritization of young people, have all jeopardized retention of young people in treatment services,” Nuwamanya noted.

In addition, Nuwamanya said Uganda is still under curative and not embracive of the preventive approach. He said there is need to follow the behavioural approach to HIV prevention.

MPs speak out

Jennifer Alanyo (Lt. Col) UPDF Representative said AIDS Trust Fund is still a conversation the MPs want to raise to the House to push for the AIDS Trust Fund.

She highlighted the fact that some parts of the country do not have decent health facilities and urged CSOs to work with government to challenge HIV and work towards ending AIDS together.

The MP noted that some barbaric cultures like girls sitting on the soil during menstruation should be reversed.

They urged CSOs to involve cultural leaders in their conversations to reverse some of these barbaric norms. “Push for pads but push for raising awareness on the need for pads. The MPs need a good justification to rally other MPs in the fight against AIDS,” Alanyo said.

Alanyo said that sensitization of HIV/AIDS should now be tailored and repackaged to the needs and preferences of young people. “Instead of the traditional approaches of the radios and TVs, turn to social media. Young people are on TikTok. Take the messages there and get visual. Young people are on Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, take the messaging to young people,” she said.

Kakembo Michael Mbwatekamwa (Entebbe Municipality), urged the CSOs to go and create awareness about HIV in schools, ghettos, and communities, among others.

“There is lack of parental care and love. Our parents have abandoned their duties. Sanitary health is to be a priority for parents. CSOs need to involve parents in conversations concerning menstrual health and the general well-being of their children,” he said.

In addition, he urged that menstrual pains should also be addressed and not just pads. “What if pads do not come, parents should be taught generally how to handle the issue of menstrual health,” he said.

He pledged parliament’s commitment to the issues being raised on the floor of parliament and promised to speak on our behalf. He mentioned being very passionate about HIV and AIDS, especially after the passing of his younger brother upon being infected by the virus.

Stephen Kisa (Luuka County South) and Vice Chair HIV/AIDS Committee, assured CSOs of their commitment to push government ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to contribute their lot in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

He mentioned that they had already met the Speaker of Parliament and moved to different regions of the country to ensure compliance with this directive.

Kisa reiterated the need for male engagement in the HIV and AIDS response and the need to engage men very strongly in the fight against the disease.

Statistics

Currently, Uganda has an estimated 1.4 million People living with HIV of which 1.2 million are currently on treatment according to Ministry of Health (MOH) 2022 annual estimates.

Accordingly, the country has registered a 65% decline in AIDS-related deaths, from 37,000 in 2016 to 17,000 in 2022.

New HIV infections in 2022 stood at 52,000, while HIV prevalence rates dropped from 7.3% in 2011 to 5.1%. In spite of the progress made, there is still unfinished business according to CSOs.

Key achievements in the HIV and AIDS response

The CSOs appreciated that Uganda has made significant progress in its HIV/AIDS response in the last four decades.

Data from routine surveillance and population surveys indicate that the HIV prevalence amongst adults has reduced from a peak of 18% in the 1990s to 5.1% in 2022.

They said the success has been due to a well-coordinated multi-sectoral response, and Uganda Cares congratulates you for your contributions towards these achievements.

Recommendations

CSOs recommended that government prioritises domestic financing and seek various avenues to mobilize resources to finance the HIVAIDS locally to release dependency on donor support.

Magala said Parliament needs to work with the finance ministry to ensure full implementation of the 0.1 contribution directed to MDAs in order to secure that source of funding.

Other recommendations

Track meaningful utilization of funds mobilized from the 0.1% contributions to fund priorities in the response.

Prioritize HIV prevention and direct resources to the funding of HIV prevention to achieve the first target among the 95-95-95 targets.

Increase funding to empower adolescent girls and young women and reduce HIV risk through youth-friendly reproductive health care.

Fund and mobilize communities for change with school and community-based HIV and GBV (Gender Based Violence) prevention.