Ugandans have been urged not to put brakes on the HIV/ AIDS battle because the nation edges nearer to the purpose of ending the scourge by 2030.
Speaking throughout the third version of the F.I.E.R.C.E awards organized by the International Community of Women dwelling with HIV Eastern Africa(ICWEA) held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, Maj(Rtd) Rubaramira Ruranga , an famend HIV/ AIDS activist mentioned whereas Uganda has main strides in ending the epidemic, there appears to be stagnation within the battle.
“I am very much disappointed with the way things are now going. I thought by now there would be no new HIV infections. It is appalling that we now have 1.4 million Ugandans living with HIV. The question for why we still have new infections is not for me or you but the entire world to answer,” Maj Rubaramira mentioned.
HIV AIDS is speaking a toll on the financial system. Each particular person wants shs400, 000 for the primary line of remedy and multiply this with the 1.4 million Ugandans with HIV. How a lot cash is that? Wouldn’t be used to do one thing else.”
Rev. Canon Gideon Byamugisha , a trailblazer when it comes to dwelling positively with HIV couldn’t agree extra.
“It is true we have stagnancy and this has been caused by the inequalities of access. We have everything but how come some people access medicine and others don’t? The youth empowerment, skilling and accompaniment have some gaps. We have so many young people who are not in education, not in employment and not in training. How is that young person going to protect themselves from HIV and if they are already positive, how are they going to prevent transmitting the virus,” Rev Canon Byamugisha mentioned.
He famous that this can be a crucial space that needs to be checked out.
“There are people whose daily life makes sure if they have to choose safe behaviour , they choose the unsafe ones that they say are the easiest, more popular unlike the safe ones because of the life these people are living without employment, being in slum areas, men are pressuring them. They can’t do otherwise apart from transmitting the virus.”
He talked about there are over 200000 people who find themselves constructive however usually are not getting remedy which exacerbates the matter.
Lillian Mworeko, Executive Director ICWEA mentioned the battle in opposition to HIV/ AIDS retains altering and activists face new challenges.
“There was a time when stigma was real, when human right violation were real. These seem to be back. There is no way you say you are going to end AIDS by 2030 when you have unfavourable legal regimes. It is a journey we keep working to challenge and eliminate those situations but we keep fighting,” Mworeka mentioned.
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She mentioned this calls for everybody’s participation within the battle in opposition to HIV/AIDS.
The awards
During the occasion, 5 girls champions within the battle in opposition to HIV/AIDS from the 5 East African nations of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda obtained F.I.E.R.C.E awards.
F.I.E.R.C.E is abbreviation for Fighter, clever, Empowered, Resilient, Courageous and excel for individuals dwelling with HIV.
Milly Katana from Uganda, Rustika Banzi(Tanzania), Kuradusenge Pelagie(Rwanda), Marie Seconde Nsabim(Burundi) and Kenya’s Dorothy Onyango obtained awards for his or her efforts in combating HIV/AIDS.
According to Lillian Mworeko, the Executive Director ICWEA, the awards are meant to reward girls who’ve completed nice work to encourage fellow girls and ladies to be a part of the battle in opposition to HIV/AIDS.
“Our call is for the young girls to join the movement for the fight against HIV/AIDS. We want to have a new generation of leaders that takes up this mantle to fight this epidemic.”
