Uganda stripped of rights to host AIDS conference

HEALTH|HIV/AIDS

The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), organizers of the International Conference on AIDS & STIs in Africa (ICASA), has withdrawn Uganda's rights to host ICASA in 2021, citing gross human right violation during the election campaign.

During the 20th ICASA conference that was held in Kigali, Rwanda, Uganda was named the next venue of the 21st conference slated for December 2021.The conference is held biennially.

The conference was scheduled to take place from December 6 to 11 at the Commonwealth Speke Resort - Munyonyo and the Conference Centre in the city centre of Kampala, with more than 5,000 members in 56 countries, in collaboration with its international and local partners.

In a December 14, 2020, press release titled: Embargo, signed by Luc Armand Bodea ICASA Director/SAA Coordinator, it states that, "We would like to inform with deep regret, all partners, stakeholders, delegates and the international community, that unfortunately ICASA 2021 will no longer be held in Kampala, Uganda from 6th-11th December 2021 as planned as a result of circumstances beyond our control."

The press release adds, "The Society for AIDS in Africa acknowledges that without peace, security, and a conducive environment for all, we have no option but to revoke the hosting rights of Uganda. The SAA apologizes for any inconveniences this might cause. A new host country and venue will be announced in the coming days."

The Society for AIDS in Africa also assured its partners, stakeholders, esteemed delegates, and the International community that the 21st edition of ICASA will still be organized from 6th-11thDecember 2021.

In the same statement, The SAA said it would like to reassure the people of Uganda, despite the fact that ICASA 2021 will not be hosted in Uganda, that they will continue working with Uganda towards their common goals, which is a continent free of HIV, TB, Malaria and emerging infections, where their communities are empowered; with zero stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, and Key populations, where there is social justice and equitable access to services, care and support for all.

Background

Uganda was selected to host the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA 2021), in December 2021.ICASA is a major bilingual international AIDS conference that takes place in Africa.

It is a biennial international AIDS event that alternates between Anglophone and Francophone African countries, meaning it is the premier gathering for all working in the field of Health as well as leaders, people living with HIV and others committed to ending the epidemic.

The conference is a tremendous opportunity for researchers from around the globe to share the latest scientific advances, learn from one another's expertise and develop strategies for advancing all facets of collective efforts to end AIDS by 2030.

The 2021 Uganda ICASA conference was expected to enable activists, scientists and community to take stock of the challenges faced in achieving the UNAIDS global 95-95-95 targets and pave the way for an efficient innovation towards a generation without AIDS in Africa and; to assess and improve the global framework for ending AIDS by 2030 alongside defecting the COVID-19 by learning the best practices.     

WHAT OTHERS SAY

Stella Kentutsi, executive director, The National Forum of PLWA Networks in Uganda (NAFOPHANU). 

As NAFOPHANU, we felt bad that Uganda cannot host the 21 edition of the ICASA conference that we had lobbied AND fought for. We had looked at it as a rare opportunity to share new findings and learning best practices from others.

Uganda has been attending conferences in other countries, and indeed, we have gained a lot and we have been thinking that as a country, we would be able to benefit. But what is more hurting is that as a country, we have not been given an opportunity to respond to the claims that have been advanced by the SAA.

It was a high-handed decision that they have taken away Uganda's hosting rights when there are some few challenges yet these challenges are characteristic in even other African countries elsewhere experienced during the election period.

The effect that this cancelation is going to cause is to blemish the image of our country because now other countries are going to think that Ugandans are living in fear and they cannot even get out and work, which is not the case.

Moses Nsubuga, popularly known as Supercharger, HIV activist remarks to SAA

 Which African country is devoid of human rights concerns you are planning to take ICASA to? Nigeria, Kenya or South Africa? It is unfortunate that these human rights concerns are still happening in almost all African countries but that doesn't call for stopping the conference from being hosted in the Pearl Africa.  These actions have been condemned and being investigated.

SAA, your action of cancelling Uganda from hosting this major HIV conference will not affect the government but Ugandans infected and affected with HIV. From the start you looked so reserved. Rwanda hosted the recent ICASA last year; did you really look at the human rights cracks of that country? As people living with HIV in Uganda, under the Joint adherence brothers and sisters against AIDS (JABASA) organization, we humbly request SAA not to take away our chance to host ICASA conference in Uganda. Stop playing your internal games and be realistic.

Mubiru Kuraish, a young person, living with HIV had this to say

I don't agree with this revocation by SAA. The ICASA is intended to help young people and youth to create awareness around HIV/AIDS. It is not intended to help the ruling party. Removing ICASA from happening in Uganda months and months later after elections are meant to serve what purpose? Why are we punishing young people for actions of the ruling party?

Arthur Larok | Federation Development Director | ActionAid International

It is a pity Uganda's hosting rights were revoked after a strong campaign to win the bid in the first place. Thanks too for strongly condemning human rights abuses in the country. I think the revocation is also a strong symbolic statement that other countries need to pay heed too. The kinds of wanton murder and extreme violence orchestrated by the security establishment in Uganda and then the freezing of bank accounts of several NGOs in the last two weeks cannot be tolerated. The lesson for us all is to do more to fix our internal problems if we are to be considered worthy hosts of such international events.