Uganda’s Museveni undergoes HIV test

October 9, 2013 (KAMPALA) – Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Friday took a public HIV test at a health facility in the capital Kampala.

But the president’s wife, Janet Museveni, who was expected at the event, did not turn up because she was unwell with a back problem, Museveni said.

The HIV test was conducted by Museveni’s personal doctor but the result was not publicly declared.

Museveni who has had a consistent message on the disease urged Ugandans to undergo voluntary counselling and testing for HIV Aids.

He also preached against living risky lifestyles that increased chances of one’s infection with HIV.

““All Ugandans, test and find out your status and let the State and health workers manage you. If you are infected, they will handle you. If you are not, then take care of yourself. Risky behaviour is unnecessary,’’Museveni said.

On Thursday, Uganda’s Aids Commission said the president and his wife would undergo a public test in an effort to fight the disease whose prevalence is on the increase in Uganda.

‘‘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 commission said in a statement on Thursday.

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.

A strategy of increasing awareness about the disease and voluntary counselling and testing is one way through which the government hopes to reduce rates of infection.

The Uganda Aids Commission says about 130,000 Ugandans are infected each year with the disease. But this figure has steadily risen and stood at 145,000 as of 2012.

(ST)