Kalungu HIV/AIDS run generates sh50m

 

 

 

KALUNGU- The HIV/AIDS run organised in Kalungu district on Saturday generated over 50,000,000 shillings to support a campaign to fight the deadly virulent disease.

 

At least more than 1000 people from Kalungu and Masaka districts gathered at Bulakati playground in Lukaya town council for the cause.

 

The event under the theme ‘Kalungu 2018 Run in Support of HIV+ Children' was organised to support the 720 infected children in the district.

 

The Minister of Agriculture, Vincent Bamulangaki  Ssempijja and Kalungu Woman MP Aisha Ssekindi were the chief organisers.

 

Prince David Kintu Wasajja, who was the chief runner, led the course from Bulakati through Lukaya town council and back.

 

Wasajja thanked the runners, sponsors and organisers for exhibiting a spirit of patriotism.

 

This, he said, contributed so much to the same campaign championed by the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II.

 

He further appealed to the youth to always utilise the available HIV/AIDS services such as blood testing and counselling among others.

 

"I still appeal to the people, mainly youth, who are already infected to take their treatment (ARVs) and protect against spreading it. To those who are negative, they should use condoms, abstain or stay faithful and use other strategies to stay safe," he said.

 

 PIC: Ssempijja (middle) during the run

 

According to Ssempijja, the run was part of the preparations for President Yoweri Museveni's visit to Kalungu on Wednesday 8, 2018.

 

He said the President will flag off a campaign to end HIV/AIDS among the minors as per the commitments of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs commit to end the epidemics including AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other communicable diseases in the set period.

 

He explained that HIV has greatly derailed Uganda's economy by weakening and killing farmers, yet the country's backbone is agriculture.

 

"A country's economy cannot grow when majority are sick. Therefore, it is important to join hands in the fight against the virus," he advised.

 

He further urged the public to contribute to the campaign than relying on foreign aid which sometimes delays and has some strings attached to it.

 

Kalungu is one of the districts in Uganda with highest HIV prevalence rate of 13%.

 

This is due to various factors including the increasing number of commercial sex workers who target long truck drivers in Lukaya town council, sexual abuse, limited health services, lack of sexual education is telling and others.

 

The Uganda Aids Commission (UAC) 2016/17 report indicates an upsurge of HIV/AIDS unclear.