First Philly Bongoley lecture to be held on Friday

Nov 28, 2019

Lutaaya, a Ugandan musician, was the first prominent Ugandan to give a human face to HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS

The First Philly Bongoley Lutaaya memorial lecture will be held on Friday this week to recognize his efforts in the fight against stigma around HIV/AIDS.

The lecture, which will take place at the Imperial Royale Hotel, will be held under the theme ‘sustainability of Uganda's HIV and AIDS response beyond 2020'.

While addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre yesterday, the minister in Charge of the presidency, Esther Mbayo noted that lecture is in recognition of Lutaaya's selfless effort in breaking the stigma and discrimination around HIV/AIDS.

"The lecture will provide an opportunity to explore possibilities of increasing domestic financing for Uganda's HIV/AIDS response," she stated.

The keynote speaker at the lecture will be Dr. Alex Countinho, an experienced Global Health leader who has practiced medicine and public health in Africa for the last 35 years.

Lutaaya, a Ugandan musician, was the first prominent Ugandan to give a human face to HIV/AIDS. Before dying of AIDS in 1989, Lutaaya spent his remaining healthy time writing songs about the battle he was experiencing with his health.

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According to UNAIDS 1.4 million, Ugandans are living with HIV/AIDS while 23,000 AIDS-related deaths were recorded by the end of 2018. Every week the country registers 1000 new infections, with the third being among adolescents.

The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) reveals that about 25 % of households in Uganda are caring for orphans due to the AIDS epidemic.

While announcing the lecture date, Mbayo urged Ugandans to test for their HIV status, noting that though treatment is available, it is burdensome to take it for life.

"It is always safer to refrain from any form of risky behavior," she said.

The minister was flanked by the Director-General Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr. Nelson Musoba, the PEPFAR Country Coordinator, Amy Cunningham, and the UNAIDS Country Director, Karusa Kiragu.

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