Spreading AIDS could be a crime
Dec 14, 2008
UGANDA is considering criminal charges as a way of reducing HIV infection. However, the draft proposal is controversial. It forces HIV-positive people to reveal their status to their sexual partners, and allows medical personnel to reveal one’s status to their partner.
By Frederick Womakuyu
UGANDA is considering criminal charges as a way of reducing HIV infection.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the vice-chairperson of Parliament’s HIV/AIDS committee, was presenting a paper last Wednesday at Speke Hotel, Kampala, and noted that each year, the cases of HIV/AIDS were increasing while the national prevalence rate had stagnated at 6.4%.
“We need another way of combating the disease. One way is by making a law to address the current concerns.â€
He said less than 20% of the people in Uganda knew their HIV status and the law would protect those who are still safe.
However, the draft proposal is controversial. It forces HIV-positive people to reveal their status to their sexual partners, and allows medical personnel to reveal one’s status to their partner.
Activists argued that the law would increase stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
Dr. Elly Katabira, an associate professor of medicine said HIV prevention or transmission cannot be stopped by Bills.
“If an adult has consented to have sex, they should know that there is a risk of infection. People must decide to abstain, use condoms or remain faithful to their partners.†he said.
He said criminalisation should only be in cases where people are forced into sex and get infected.
Stella Kentutsi, an official, cautioned that the law would result into more cases of gender violence.
“It dilutes messages that have made the fight against HIV a success. It does not encourage people, who do not know their status to test,†she added.
Dr. Peter Mugoya, an AIDS counsellor, said the law would implicate women who transmit HIV to children during pregnancy or breast-feeding. He said such women would also be persecuted.
UGANDA is considering criminal charges as a way of reducing HIV infection.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the vice-chairperson of Parliament’s HIV/AIDS committee, was presenting a paper last Wednesday at Speke Hotel, Kampala, and noted that each year, the cases of HIV/AIDS were increasing while the national prevalence rate had stagnated at 6.4%.
“We need another way of combating the disease. One way is by making a law to address the current concerns.â€
He said less than 20% of the people in Uganda knew their HIV status and the law would protect those who are still safe.
However, the draft proposal is controversial. It forces HIV-positive people to reveal their status to their sexual partners, and allows medical personnel to reveal one’s status to their partner.
Activists argued that the law would increase stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.
Dr. Elly Katabira, an associate professor of medicine said HIV prevention or transmission cannot be stopped by Bills.
“If an adult has consented to have sex, they should know that there is a risk of infection. People must decide to abstain, use condoms or remain faithful to their partners.†he said.
He said criminalisation should only be in cases where people are forced into sex and get infected.
Stella Kentutsi, an official, cautioned that the law would result into more cases of gender violence.
“It dilutes messages that have made the fight against HIV a success. It does not encourage people, who do not know their status to test,†she added.
Dr. Peter Mugoya, an AIDS counsellor, said the law would implicate women who transmit HIV to children during pregnancy or breast-feeding. He said such women would also be persecuted.