Urgent Government Intervention Needed to Combat HIV/AIDS in Tororo and Busia Border Districts
The Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters has called on the government of Uganda to intervene in the border districts of Tororo and Busia to address the spread of the virus. The committee conducted an oversight visit to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS among various populations, including commercial sex workers, drug addicts, and individuals engaged in homosexual acts. They found a significant rise in HIV/AIDS infections in Tororo, with 893 new infections and a 6% prevalence in 2020.
The government of Uganda should step in to stop the virus’ spread in the border districts of Tororo and Busia, according to the Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters.
The committee also paid visits to Tororo Municipal Council, Bison Health Centre III, Malaba Health Centre, and Busia Municipal Council during its oversight visit to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS among the populations, with a focus on commercial sex workers, drug addicts, and individuals engaged in homosexual acts.
Between May 10th and May 12th, 2023, the committee met with significant district leaders who bemoaned the ongoing rise in HIV/AIDS infections. The meetings were presided over by the committee’s head, Hon. Sarah Kayagi.
According to the Ministry of Health’s figures, there were 893 new infections and a 6% prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Tororo district in 2020.
The committee was notified by HIV/AIDS patients in Tororo that resources should be distributed throughout the country rather than only to those in Kampala, the capital.
Albert Amula, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Tororo, pleaded with the committee to use its authority to appropriate more funds to aid in the battle against HIV/AIDS and to see to it that the AIDS Trust Fund is operationalized.
“The time is now for you to operationalise the fund,” he added. “Some of the donors who have been funding the sector are set to pull out because of the anti-homosexuality bill.”
Kayagi notified the parties involved that the anti-homosexuality measure, which was approved by Parliament, included provisions for victim rehabilitation and therapy in addition to the criminalization of homosexual activities.
