World AIDS Day preparations underway in Manafwa

Preparations to host national celebrations marking this year's World AIDS Day in Manafwa district are in high gear with district leaders in the Bugisu sub-region pledging to pool resources for sensitising and mobilising the community in the fight against the spread of HIV infections.

In a meeting convened by newly appointed Resident District Commissioner of Manafwa Ahamed Washaki at the district headquarters several activities including interactive radio talk shows and HIV testing among others.

Addressing the meeting, Washaki said President Yoweri Museveni who has over the years been at the forefront in the fight against HIV in the country, is expected to be the chief guest at Bugobero Health Centre IV.

Washaki who warned that HIV/AIDS was real, urged the leadership in Bugisu sub-region to work together as a team and lead exemplary lives to help guide the young generation for prosperity of the nation.

Briefing the meeting on the preparations, the Manafwa deputy chief administrative officer (ACAO) Stephen Lokope said the district preparations committee has been tasked to raise a local budget of sh411m for the various activities and holding engagement meetings with cultural leaders of Bamasaaba, Bagwere and Adhola.

In his remarks, the Mbale resident district commissioner Sulaiman Ogajo said Uganda was ahead of other East African countries in its strategies of battling the HIV/AIDS scourge adding that President Museveni is hopeful that no Ugandan should contract HIV by 2030.

He cited a presidential handbook published in June 2017 titled ‘Presidential Fast-Track Initiative on Ending HIV/AIDS in Uganda' in which Museveni outlines the strategies and policies needed to eliminate HIV.

Ogajo stressed the urgency and need for districts in Bugisu sub-region to make a financial contribution to the national celebrations in Manafwa district and urged local leaders to mobilise the community to turn up and listen the messages that will be delivered by Museveni and other stakeholders on the day.

Manafwa district chairperson John Musila who asked the chief administrative officer to ensure that all heads of department and sector heads in the district attend the function told the meeting that after consultations the district executive committee chose Bugobero Health Centre as the venue because they want government to elevate it to a district hospital.

Speaking at the meeting former state minister for works who is now a board member of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Sylvester Wanjusi Wasieba, praised Museveni and the NRM government for initiating several programmes aimed at improving the health status of Ugandans.

The meeting was also attended by the district Police commander Sulait Kitaka, the district NRM party chairman Charles Walimbwa Peke and opinion leaders.