HIV prevalence high among teenagers - report

Jun 20, 2014

A recent study in Uganda has shown that HIV prevalence is high among teenagers between 15 to 17 years.

By Pascal Kwesiga and Grace Amme     

A recent study in Uganda has shown that HIV prevalence is high among teenagers between 15 to 17 years.


The Director General, Uganda Aids Commission, Dr. Christine Ondoa revealed that the HIV/AIDS infection is acute in the said age bracket and the figures worsen as they join university.

Ondoa made the disclosure at the 3rd urban leaders HIV/AIDS forum organised by the Alliance of mayors and municipal leaders in Africa which took place in Kampala.

The study also shows that 67% of married Christian couples have extra martial sex.

Ondoa said the married Christian couples were having extra marital sex with their former partners, friends, spouses of their friends and partners unknown to their spouses.

Mayors and other leaders in urban centers in Uganda launched a nation-wide campaign aimed at improving HIV/AIDS delivery services.

The mayors launched the campaign under the Alliance of mayors’ initiative for community action on HIV/AIDS at local level (AMICAALL).

According to the AMICAALL chairperson who is a mayor for Soroti Municipality, Martin Alfred Aruo, the campaign is aimed at mobilizing the people to increase the uptake of HIV/AIDS services in urban areas.

The campaign, he noted, will enable mayors and other leaders in urban areas to play a prominent role towards achieving universal access of HIV/AIDS services and the Millennium Development Goal of combating the AIDS epidemic, malaria and other diseases.

“We shall create an enabling environment for increased prevention and treatment of people with HIV/AIDS through enactment of appropriate by laws and ordinances to advocate and promote urban HIV response,” Aruo said.

President Yoweri Museveni, in a speech read for him by the minister for presidency, Frank Tumwebaze, commended the mayors for taking a lead in the fight against HIV/AIDS in their respective towns. “I am happy to note that mayors are engaged in the fight,” he said.

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