HIV activists decry workplace policies

May 19, 2015

HIV activists have decried employers and organizations that are not abiding with HIV work place policies. The activists now want employers to prioritize HIV work place policies to protect and uphold rights of those infected and affected by HIV.

By Oyet Okwera

HIV activists have decried employers and organizations that are not abiding with HIV work place policies. The activists now want employers to prioritize HIV work place policies to protect and uphold rights of those infected and affected by HIV.


According to David Baguma, executive director at Association of Microfinance Institutions of Uganda (AMFIU), people living with HIV used to be abused and discriminated at work.

“We do not want to go back to those days when people living with HIV were facing higher stigma. We need to reflect on ways of ensuring that people living with HIV continue living in harmony at work,” said Baguma

Baguma was addressing HIV stakeholders including National Forum of People Living with HIV & AIDS Networks in Uganda (NAFOPHANU) in Kampala. The stakeholders were lobbying ministry of health to help address different issues affecting people living with HIV.

He said work place policies should help streamline protection of those living with HIV. He however urged those living with HIV especially men to disclose their HIV status to be helped at work.

Adraine Basima, coordinator at Vision Fund urged all firms to follow the guidelines in the work place policy. Basima said there is need to support all employees through enabling access of information related to HIV.

The work place policy covers both the employers and employees with ear marked guidelines to eliminate stigma and discrimination at work. The guideline also facilitates care and support for employees and immediate family members infected and affected with HIV.

According to James Balya, programme manager at Uganda Cares, if you do not talk positive about staff at work, you stigmatize them. Balya urged all stakeholders to ensure that work place policies are upheld without contravening the different clauses.

Marion Tweheyo, a teacher in Kabale urged all stakeholders to treat those living with HIV as workmates whose contribution affects society positively. 

Tweheyo observed how some employees living with HIV are grappling with unfair treatment because they are living with HIV. She observes how some microfinance institutions fear lending money to groups of people living with HIV.

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