Students asked to champion the end of AIDS

EDUCATION | STUDENTS | AIDS

KAMPALA - The health ministry has asked students in secondary schools and institutions of higher learning to be ambassadors of ending AIDS by 2030.

The call was made by health ministry permanent secretary, Dr Diana Atwine, on the final day of High School Crossfire at the International University of East Africa (IUEA) on October 3, 2022.

Atwine, in a speech read by Dr Daniel Kyabayinze from the health ministry, commended the students for being consistent and showing a splendid performance in debate. 

IUEA marketing manager John Paul gives out a medal to a student of Mengo after they emerged fourth during a High School Crossfire debate intended to sensitize students towards HIV and AIDS. (All Photos by Ramadhan Abbey)

She added that the Government was doing its job, but students' help was needed to champion the end of AIDS in the country by 2030.

"What are we doing as a country to stem the spread of AIDS? We must involve these young girls and boys because they can reach where we cannot," Atwiine said.

She emphasised the need for schools to also focus on topics that educate students on the dangers of contracting HIV, which usually causes AIDS.

High infection rate

According to the Presidential Fast Track Initiative on Ending Aids in Uganda handbooks distributed to students, approximately 104 people in Uganda are infected with HIV daily.

Every week, approximately 730 people get infected with HIV in the country and of these, 44.1% are young people.

A book with a portrait of President Museveni aimed at ending AIDS in Uganda.

This puts the country's initiatives of promoting poverty alleviation programmes at risk.

"If the people we are looking at to inherit the social and economic development of the country are dead or weak, then don’t expect growth for the nation," Kyabayinze said.

According to him, ending the spread of HIV should go beyond focusing on the students who don’t even have resources to use on the battlefield.

Kyabayinze said coming together to end the spread of HIV among the youth would improve the economic development of the country.

However, Damalie Tumukunde, the founder and organiser of High School Crossfire, said at least the topics discussed and debated by these students are mostly focused on social entrepreneurship and HIV spread.

(L-R) IUEA marketing manager John Paul, Muhammad Bisaso hand over a triumph to Rania Mugembe a student of Kibuli SS after they emerged third during the High School Crossfire debate.

Tumukunde said since they began in 2014, over 500,000 students have been sensitised and many have become notable young leaders in the country.

"I would say these debating competitions have shaped students' careers. Some are now founders of NGO's, politicians, activists and others have returned to empower their colleagues not to lose hope in academics," she said.

Tumukunde said the High School Crossfire has helped students achieve their dreams such as getting sponsors, scholarships, as well as jobs and mentors.

Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, Director Public Health, addresses students during High School Crossfire debate.

St Joseph's Senior Secondary School, Naggalama won the competitions and each competitor received a new laptop. 

Additionally, each student was promised a full bursary if they reached the university level by the International University of East Africa (IUEA) management.

Namilyango College, which was runners up, was awarded with medals and other gifts from the National Drug Authority.