Statement By the Uganda Aids Commission Boss Dr. Musoba about the Renewed HIV Threat.
REMARKS FOR THE DIRECTOR GENERAL AT THE WORLD
AIDS DAY PRESS CONFERENCE
DATE: 28/11/2023
The Chairperson of the HIV Committee in Parliament,
UNAIDS Country Director,
Representatives of Persons living with HIV
Media fraternity, all protocol observed.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
On the 1st of December, we shall join the world in commemorating
the World AIDS Day. A day when the world stands in solidarity with
those who are living with HIV.
The theme for this year’s celebrations is Ending AIDS by 2030.
Keeping Communities at the Centre. World AIDS Day will be
commemorated in Rakai District in Kibaale Town Council at Kibaale
Play Ground. His Excellency the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta
Museveni will be the chief guest
We acknowledge that the Country has made significant progress in
the fight against HIV and AIDS by bringing down HIV prevalence from
18% in the 80s to 5.2%, new infections have reduced to 52,000
annually from 94,000 and AIDS related deaths have reduced to
17,000 annually. There have been strategies that helped us to reach
where we are now. Our success did not happen overnight. Some of
the most recent achievements include:
⚫ HIV Testing Services- There was a 14.3 increase in the number of
individuals tested in the general population from 5,998,431 in FY
2020/21 to 6,860,533 in FY 2022/23
⚫ A total 98% of the estimated 1,433,337 People were Living with
HIV (PLHIV) as of December 2022 were enrolled on ART as of June
2023 which is 1,403,6032
We acknowledge the exemplary leadership of our President Yoweri
Kaguta Museveni who steered the campaign to end AIDS even when
there was no treatment in sight. The HIV multi-sectoral Response is
his brain child. To date there is no ministry, department or agency
that does not mainstream HIV and AIDS in its activities. HE the
President continues to consistently talk about raising awareness,
spreading HIV prevention messages and fighting
I want to express gratitude to the healthcare workers, researchers,
and volunteers who have played a crucial role in the fight against
HIV/AIDS.
I also acknowledge the work of the communities of People living with
HIV networks. Communities have been at the forefront of fighting HIV
and AIDS since the discovery of AIDS in Uganda nearly 40 years ago.
It was the communities that took the patients to hospital, looked after
them when others shunned them and cared for the widows and the
orphans that they left behind. To date, it is these same communities
that are on the frontline to ensure we end AIDS as a public health
threat by 2030.
The solidarity of the community of people living with HIV can be seen
during the COVID 19 lockdown and the Ebola lockdowns in Mubende
and surrounding areas. The community ensured that none of their
members were affected during this difficult time. They ensured their
most vulnerable members had access to food and their drugs.
Communities of Religious leaders under their umbrella organization
Inter Religious Council of Uganda provided and still continue to
provide psycho-social support to the HIV infected and affected
persons. Together the community of religious leaders developed the
Faith Based Action Plan to End AIDS by 2030. This was launched in
2021 and they continue to use it to guide the implementation of HIV
prevention interventions like providing adequate and accurate
information on HIV and AIDS prevention, care, treatment and
support to their congregations.
Recently, after we rolled out the National Policy Guidelines on Ending
Stigma and Discrimination of People Living with HIV, the
communities of PLHIV who are disabled lobbied to ensure there was
a version developed for them to address their specific needs. This was
developed and launched last month.3
With less than few years to 2030, a lot needs to be done to support
communities of people living with HIV to thrive.
• We need to address the issue of stigma and discrimination of
PLHIV. This is because stigma causes denial and unnecessary
delays in HIV testing, seeking treatment and even adherence to
medication
• We need to ensure representation of PLHIV at all levels so that
they can demand and fulfil their rights. In line with this, I would
like to commend the COVID 19 and Ebola district task forces
that ensured people living with HIV were represented on their
committees. This spirit of integration should emulated during
similar interventions.
• For the rest of the Ugandans, as we approach the festive season,
I urge you to take precaution protect yourselves against HIV.
Children who are not yet of age should abstain from sex, the
married adults are advised to remain faithful to your sexual
partner and for discordant couples or those with partners of
unknown HIV status are advise to use condom correctly and
consistently to prevent HIV or the use of pre-exposure
prophylaxis. I urge all Uganda who do not know their HIV status
to take an HIV test today with your partner. If you are negative
remain so. If you are positive, enroll for treatment and take the
medication as advised by the health worker.
As I conclude, I would like to thank our AIDS Development Partners
who support us in ensuring that People living with HIV have access
to treatment.
I would like to thank Religious and Cultural institutions for using
religion and culture to fight HIV and AIDS and the related stigma and
discrimination.
I would like to thank the People living with HIV networks for their
role in representing and supporting people living with HIV. You have
contributed greatly towards ensuring that we have a National
Response where no one is left behind.
For GOD and my Country
Dr. Nelson Musoba
Director General/Uganda AIDS Commission
