President Museveni Emphasizes Prevention During World AIDS Day Celebrations

Buyende District, Uganda – On Sunday, December 1, 2024, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed Ugandans during the World AIDS Day commemoration at Bukungu Primary School in Buyende District. The event, held under the theme “Accelerating Interventions to End HIV/AIDS by 2030,” underscored Uganda's continued fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

*The Need for Prevention*

President Museveni emphasized personal responsibility in preventing HIV infections, warning against complacency despite advancements in treatment. He noted that while antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) can suppress the virus, they cannot fully eliminate it, and infection limits an individual's capacity, particularly in physically demanding jobs like military service.

“There are certain things that you cannot do when you are infected. Don't say, ‘Let me get infected since the drugs are available.’ You will not die, but your capacity will be reduced,” Museveni cautioned.

The President identified key drivers of HIV/AIDS in Uganda:

1. Prostitution: A primary contributor to new infections.

2. Unchecked Blood Transfusions: Now mitigated through rigorous testing.

3. Mother-to-Child Transmission: Managed through modern medical interventions.

Museveni highlighted that significant progress has been made in addressing these pathways, particularly with the availability of technologies to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

Museveni advised Ugandans to test for HIV regularly and begin treatment immediately if diagnosed. He stressed the importance of viral load suppression in reducing transmission rates and encouraged disciplined behavior to curb risky lifestyles.

“Stop this indiscipline. Uganda has 1.4 million people living with HIV out of 39 million globally. This is a high figure. Why should this be the case?” he queried.

President Museveni applauded Ugandan researchers for their contributions to HIV/AIDS treatment innovations. He highlighted breakthroughs, such as a bi-monthly injectable treatment, which reduces the burden of daily medication. Additionally, he committed government support to ongoing efforts to develop a vaccine and curative treatments.

Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, shared Uganda’s achievements in combating HIV/AIDS:

Prevalence has dropped from 18% in the 1990s to 5.1% today.

Approximately 1.4 million Ugandans live with HIV, with over 1.2 million receiving treatment.

In 2023, Uganda recorded 38,000 new infections and 20,000 AIDS-related deaths.

Despite these gains, adolescent girls and young women remain disproportionately affected, necessitating targeted interventions.

The President tied HIV prevention to economic empowerment, urging Ugandans to adopt commercial agriculture practices under the NRM’s four-acre model to improve household incomes. He also reiterated the government's commitment to addressing challenges like illegal fishing, underutilized land, and the mismanagement of wetlands.

Vice President Jessica Alupo, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, and other dignitaries echoed the President’s call for disciplined behavior and sustained efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Dr. Nelson Musoba, Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission, acknowledged Museveni’s leadership in driving national and regional responses to HIV/AIDS, resulting in a 45% reduction in new infections between 2017 and 2023.

As Uganda strives toward the 2030 goal of ending HIV/AIDS, the President’s rallying call is clear: prevention is key, innovation is vital, and discipline is indispensable.