Uganda’s Museveni, wife for public HIV testing
November 7, 2013 (KAMPALA) – Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni and his wife will today, Friday, undergo a public HIV test at a public health institution in Kampala in an effort to fight the disease, Uganda’s Aids Commission said in a statement to the media on Thursday.
‘‘The objective of the public HIV counselling and testing is to demonstrate to all Ugandans the importance of knowing your HIV status as an action towards an HIV-free generation,’’ the statement said.
Uganda is one of the countries in Africa whose fight against HIV Aids has been internationally hailed in the last two decades. But over the last few years the disease has worryingly crept back with statistics showing infections on the rise.
In a survey conducted in 2011, prevalence among 15-19 year olds was at 7.3% for males and 8.3% among females. In the 2004-2005 the prevalence figure was at 6.4%.
The Uganda Aids Commission says about 130,000 Ugandans are infected each year with the disease. But this figure has steadily risen and now stands at 145,000 as of 2012.
The increase in infections despite Uganda’s past stellar performance against the virus has led to calls about more public awareness on the benefits of knowing ones HIV status.
President Museveni has been consistent on his health messages to Ugandans to avoid risky lifestyles that will lead to them contracting the disease.
Museveni has also numerous times warned Ugandans against alcohol and eating of unhealthy food that could lead to lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, among others.
(ST)