TASO gets sh125m boost for HIV/AIDS fight

By Elvis Basudde

The Aids Support Organization (TASO) Uganda has received a financial boost of sh125m from Aidshilfe Für Afrika, an organization based in Germany.

The money is to enhance TASO’s effort in fighting HIV/AIDS and promoting awareness about the danger of the disease whose cure is yet to be found.

Aidshilfe Für Afrika is spearheaded by Dr. Wolfgang Lenzen, who mobilized the funds through a bicycle rally. He rode and covered a distance of 1550km in 12 days last year, and a total of 1,967 people tested for HIV during the fundraising.

Dr. Wolfgang, 64, a German national and Professor of Philosophy from the University of Osnabruck, embarked on a campaign bicycle tour around the world to raise funds for people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS under the care of TASO and “Feria Libre – El Arenal”, a school project for underprivileged children in Cuenca, Ecuador.

TASO’s executive director, Dr. Christine Nabiryo received the cheque at the headquarters, and said the donation was a big support in preventing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

“We are grateful for the support you have given to TASO over the years.  TASO cannot live without partners, and we always treasure them, “she said.

The representative of Germany ambassador, Lilo Csiappell, commended TASO’s 25 years of existence and support in the east African country’s fight against HIV/AIDS control and improving the quality of life among people living with HIV.

“You have done an exceptionally enormous job in improving the quality of life for people living with HIV,” Csiappel said.

Dr. Wolfgang had planned to cover a distance equivalent to the full circumference of the earth (40, 075 km) within the span of twelve months, where the route would lead him to all five continents. He would get one Euro from sponsors for each kilometer he would cover.

“I am very happy that I was able to raise this money for TASO. Even if in the end I did not achieve my goal of riding the 40,075km within 12 months, I nevertheless raised a lot of Euros. Most of the funds I raised went to TASO,” he said.

He said he chose TASO because of its unprecedented work in fighting HIV/AIDS. The proceeds from his fundraising bicycle also supported a charity project in South America.