Jinja AIDS rates rise

By Abubaker Mukose WALUKUBA HIV/AIDS testing site in Jinja district registered the highest infection rates compared to the other five centres. The Jinja area Aids Information Centre (AIC)covers Kamuli district. While presenting a paper at a one day workshop on Monday for the Jinja district local council, branch manager Mr. Eriya Murana said, the rates were based on the 1999 report by AIC. "However, the figures were not a representative of the entire population but a few who voluntarily went for the tests," he said. He said Walukuba alone registered 30% of all clients, who tested HIV positive, adding that the majority were females. "The number of females infected were three times more than the males who tested at the Walukuba centre," Murana said. Murana told members of the Jinja DLC who included the chairman Sam Muwumba, his vice Jim Isanga and the general secretary Mrs. Betty Bamugoloze that the high infection among the female clients was due to poverty and social mobility. "Widows and separated spouses were found highly infected compared to steady couples. These were in the age range of 30-39 years," Murana said. He said that urban areas were the worst hit. Ends