As the country prepares to commemorate International World AIDS Day on the 1st of December 2023 in Rakai district, Dr. Nelson Musoba, the Director General of Uganda AIDS Commission, has made a positive report regarding the fight against the virus.

Musoba speaking to journalists at Uganda Media Centre notes 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%. The new infections have also reduced to 52,000 annually from 94,000, and AIDS-related deaths have reduced to 17,000 annually.

On the HIV testing services, Musoba said there was a 14.3 increase in the number of individuals tested in the general population from 5,998,431 in the Financial Year (FY) 2020/21 to 6,860,533 in FY 2022/23.

A total of 98% of the estimated 1,433,337 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) as of December 2022 were enrolled on ART as of June 2023 which is 1,403,603, Musoba revealed.

“To date, there is no ministry, department, or agency that does not mainstream HIV and AIDS in its activities. The President continues to consistently talk about raising awareness, spreading HIV prevention messages, and fighting.

“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 the 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.

“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.

“With less than a 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.

“We need to ensure the representation of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) at all levels so that they can demand and fulfill their rights.

“For the rest of the Ugandans, as we approach the festive season, I urge you to take precautions to protect yourselves against HIV. Children who are not yet of age should abstain from sex.

“Married adults are advised to remain faithful to their sexual partner and discordant couples or those with partners of unknown HIV status are advised to use condoms correctly and consistently to prevent HIV or the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis,” Musoba told the press.

The International World AIDS Day is a day when the world stands in solidarity with those who are living with HIV. This year’s theme is ‘Ending AIDS by 2030. Keeping Communities at the Centre.’ President Yoweri Museveni will be the Chief Guest.