Rakai residents force leaders to test for HIV
Dec 03, 2008
RESIDENTS who had turned to commemorate the World AIDS day in Rakai declined to test for HIV/AIDS and demanded the district leaders to do the test first.
RESIDENTS who had turned to commemorate the World AIDS day in Rakai declined to test for HIV/AIDS and demanded the district leaders to do the test first, writes Patrick Okino.
The Rakai district chairman Vincent Semakula told residents of Nabigasa sub-county to move to the tent where the exercise was being done but a group of youths shouted back, demanding that the leaders test first.
“Why are you telling us to test when you are not testing?†one of the youths asked. “We shall not go there if you don’t go,†another person said.
The resident district commissioner, Aida Bikorendwa, immediately went to the tent and was followed by other officials. After their blood samples were taken, the residents, lead by the youth, joined the queue.
Among the leaders who attended the function were Lt. Pius Mujuzi, MP for Kyotera and Maj. Erasmus Mugumya Magulumaali, MP for Kooki. Semakula cautioned the residents against forcing people to go and test for HIV/AIDS saying the exercise is voluntary.
The district health administrator, Ereaza Mugisha, said results of the tests were at Rakai hospital.
“We have the results with us and we are confidentially keeping them,†However, apart from Bikorendwa, none of the district officials dared to pick their results.
The Rakai district chairman Vincent Semakula told residents of Nabigasa sub-county to move to the tent where the exercise was being done but a group of youths shouted back, demanding that the leaders test first.
“Why are you telling us to test when you are not testing?†one of the youths asked. “We shall not go there if you don’t go,†another person said.
The resident district commissioner, Aida Bikorendwa, immediately went to the tent and was followed by other officials. After their blood samples were taken, the residents, lead by the youth, joined the queue.
Among the leaders who attended the function were Lt. Pius Mujuzi, MP for Kyotera and Maj. Erasmus Mugumya Magulumaali, MP for Kooki. Semakula cautioned the residents against forcing people to go and test for HIV/AIDS saying the exercise is voluntary.
The district health administrator, Ereaza Mugisha, said results of the tests were at Rakai hospital.
“We have the results with us and we are confidentially keeping them,†However, apart from Bikorendwa, none of the district officials dared to pick their results.