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Once thriving primary, secondary, and higher institutions of learning in Uganda have become shadows of their former self with young people engaging in unprotected sex getting exposed to HIV/AIDS surge at a tender age. 

Uganda has braved the HIV/AIDS scourge for close to four decades but the rate at which it is infiltrating education institutions affecting the younger generation is alarming. 

As a quick intervention to arrest the situation, the opposition Democratic Party (DP) has challenged the status quo, asking the government to enforce mandatory HIV/AIDS testing in all schools and institutions of learning. 

“To curb the rate at which the viral disease is being contracted by adolescent youth in schools and institutions, it needs quick intervention and mandatory testing in schools,” Ismail Kiirya, the Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) president and acting party spokesperson, said. 

“Young people are exposed and vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and we need as a country to do something about it,” he suggested. 

While addressing a weekly press conference on Tuesday, December 5, at City House in Kampala, Kiirya asked the government to subject all pupils and students to mandatory testing to provide great care to minors living with HIV/AIDS. 

“We need to carry out mass HIV testing in these secondary schools so that they can know their statuses for proper management,” he added. 

“Ladies and gentlemen let's not hide away from the truth, these young people understand sexual intercourse more than we the parents, they can even educate you,” he said, driving the congregation into laughter. 

Kiirya however said that there should be deliberate sensitisation for young people in this era expressing that such pupils and students are much informed than the old about sexuality. 

Dr Charles Olaro, the director of clinical and curative services at the Ministry of Health, attributed the increasing HIV/AIDS spread among young people to alcohol and drug abuse use in schools. 

“Alcohol abuse and smoking among the youth impair their judgements leading to risky sexual behaviour whenever they escape in schools to enjoy social life outside school premises,” he said. 

“In order for students to stay safe, we recommend them to stay safe, and abstain from sex until they are ready for its consequences,” he added. 

“Avoid peer pressure. Your friends do not share the consequences of sex. Just because your friends are talking and having sex does not mean that you should also have it,” Olaro advised. 

Ismail Kiirya, the UYD president and the acting DP spokesperson asked the government to reconsider checking HIV and AIDS at schools to prepare them to fight against the deadly diseases (All Photos by Isaac Nuwagaba).

Treatment for HIV/AIDS is available but it does not cure HIV. You have to take the medicines every day for the rest of your life and the medicines have side effects, he warned. 

Mandatory testing in schools 

Dr Emma Wanyama, a medical doctor at Mulago Hospital, said HIV/AIDS testing should always be voluntary and conducted with the informed consent of the individual. 

“Mandating such tests in schools could potentially violate students' rights to privacy and bodily autonomy, and may lead to stigmatization and discrimination against those who are living with HIV/AIDS,” he reasoned. 

“HIV/AIDS education and awareness programs have been shown to be effective in reducing the spread of the disease and should be encouraged in schools instead of mandatory testing. 

These programs can help young people make informed decisions about their health, and promote a culture of empathy, understanding, and support for those affected by HIV/AIDS,” he suggested. 

“It is important to prioritize all individuals' well-being, safety, and dignity, especially in educational settings where young people spend a significant part of their day.” 

According to the Uganda Aids Commission (AIC) report conducted from January to December 2022, 1,433,000 people were living with HIV with 52,000 people newly infected of which 30,000 are women, 16,000 men and 6,000 children.