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On Thursday, Uganda's Vice-President, Jessica Epel Alupo, presided over the national launch of the Community CheckNow HIV self-testing services in Uganda. The

She represented President Yoweri Museveni at the event that took place at Kololo Independence Grounds.

Health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda, and Director General of Health Services Dr. Henry G. Mwebesa were among those present.

The HIV self-test kits are meant to help communities know their HIV status in real time.

Aceng said the initiative is "an additional approach to our HIV testing arsenal" that will be "one step forward to achieving the UNAIDS 95:95:95 target by 2030".

Take a look at pictures from Kololo taken by Mpalanyi Ssentongo:
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VP.Jessica Alupo (left) , health minister Dr Ruth Aceng (centre) and the Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda

The Vice President of Uganda, Retired Major Jessica Epel Alupo arrives

Vice President Jessica Alupo hands over a kit to one of the VHT representatives during the launch

James Cordahi joins an entertainment group at the event

Some of the guests

Buganda Kingdom official Cotilda Nakate Kikomeko, Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda and the health minister Dr. Ruth Aceng

TASO Mulago drama group performing

Some of the VHTs at the launch

Free medical services at Kololo

Cotilda Nakate Kikomeko representing the Katikkiro of Buganda at the launch

The self testing kit

The delegation from ABBOTT interacting with the Minister for Presidency Milly Babalanda (second left) and health minister Dr Ruth Aceng(extreme right)