UNAIDS boss, Ondoa call for more HIV funding

Uganda AIDS Commission boss Dr. Christine Ondoa. Photo/File

Arguing that the rate of HIV infection and prevalence is very worrying, the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) country director Sande Amakobe and the Uganda AIDS Commission boss Dr. Christine Ondoa have asked government and parliament to increase funding for HIV.

The two ladies made the remarks today at the commencement of the parliament health week at CHOGM gardens under the theme of Hands UP For HIV Prevention.

Reporting that Uganda is on the UN list of 22 countries most hit with HIV, Amakobe said it is unacceptable for Uganda to lag behind with an infection rate of 7.3% and 227 infection cases every day.

"We need to ask ourselves whether we are serious about ending HIV/AIDS. We have all the necessary tools to get it under control once and for all. 80% of Uganda's funds for HIV come from external sources. Where is Uganda's AIDS Trust Fund which was passed? Are we serious or not serious? I ask parliament to push for its implementation," she stated.

With Burundi having a prevalence rate of 1.1%, Rwanda 2.9%, Tanzania and Kenya at 5.4%, Ondoa said there is need for radical measures to be taken by Uganda to register significant progress.

She appealed to parliamentarians to increase funding for HIV, ring-fence funds for HIV in the national budget, and to be exemplary in their communities.