Engineer Balimwezo (left) delivers his speech as doctor Nsangi (right) looks on. Photos by Mathias Mazinga
The Executive Director of Reach Out Mbuya HIV/AIDS Initiative, Dr. Betty Nsangi has asked sports managers to find ways to end the discrimination of HIV positive sports persons.
Delivering her speech during the 9th Adolescents Sports Gala that her organization hosted at Namboole Stadium on Saturday, Nsangi argued that HIV positive people could play games even better than those without the virus.
Nsangi said that in games like soccer and rugby, where the players could get cuts and pose a risk of infecting other players, the player that gets a cut should just be removed from the game and be replaced with another player, since such games give a provision for substitutes.
The Mayor of Nakawa division, Engineer Nsubuga Balimwezo asked government to act tougher on the problem of drug-abuse.
He argued that by allowing certain drugs to be imported, the government makes an eventual loss on the productivity of the youths and the taxes it would get from them if they were not addicted to the drugs.
Balimwezo later pledged to support HIV/AIDS service organisations that operate in in his division.
The sports gala attracted organisations like Reach Out Mbuya, Naguru Teenage and Information Centre, Makerere University Joint HIV/AIDS programme, Straight Talk Foundation, Marie Stopes, Mild May Uganda, DSW Uganda, Treasure Life Centre, Turckle Africa, Namugongo Fund for Special Children and Naguru Health Network.
The outstanding players were appreciated with medals. These included netballer Angel Lunkuse from MildMay and Tyson Tugume from Naguru Teenage Center, who was the best footballer with three goals to his credit.
Outstanding organisers like Charles Ofwono were also recognized with certificates.