Ex-Uganda VP appointed UN special envoy on HIV/Aids
August 4, 2013 (KAMPALA) – The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, a former Ugandan vice-president, as his special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.
From 1993 to 2004, however, she was vice-president of Uganda, the first woman in Africa to hold such a position. A trained surgeon, Kazibwe also serves as a member of the champions for an HIV-Free generation initiative
“I am honoured and very delighted to take on this new and challenging role in this crucial time of the AIDS response,” said Kazibwe, in a statement posted on the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) website
As special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, she will reportedly help advance the AIDS response in Africa by advocating for the proactive engagement and involvement of all sectors of society.
“We look forward to working closely with such an experienced leader like Ms Wandira-Kazibwe,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé.
I am convinced that her tireless effort and commitment will help make change happen across Africa, she stressed.
Africa, according to the UN HIV/Aid agency, continues to be more affected by HIV than any other region of the world, accounting for 69% of people living with HIV globally.
Despite positive trends, it says, there were still 1.8 million new HIV infections across the continent, and 1.2 million people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2011.
(ST)