BUSHENYI – As Uganda Joins the rest of the world to commemorate World AIDS day, Ugandans who are HIV negative have been advised to avoid discriminating people who are living with the virus.
World AIDs day is commemorated annually on 1st December to raise awareness on HIV/AIDs, celebrate achievements made towards fighting the pandemic and the lives that have been lost to the disease while intensifying efforts towards its control and this year’s theme is “Take the right path”.
It is now 42 years since the 1st case of AIDS was diagnosed in Uganda in 1982. The 2024 estimates show that the national HIV prevalence is 5.1%, new infections have reduced from 83,000 in 20210 to 38,000, AIDS related deaths reduced from 53,000 to 19,000 and babies with HIV have reduced from 30,000 to 4,700 in just over a decade.
Speaking to this website today, Chris Muganzi Former Bushenyi Ishaka Municipality MP Candidate says HIV is just one of many infections one can get from risky sexual behavior thus advising citizens to remain vigilant and safe.
“And if it happend that you already have the virus ,never feel you need to hide or feel shame. The more you love yourself and accept your diagnosis the less people react badly”. Chris Muganzi lamented.
Furthermore, he advised the HIV positives to take their ARVs properly and asked all Ugandans to embrace ABC (Abstain, Be Faithful, Use a Condom) strategy if they want to curb the spread of the virus.
“Lastly, lets not discriminate people living with HIV because stigma and discrimination undermine the fight against AIDS”, he adds.
Our reporter learnt that though Chris Muganzi commonly known as “Enganzi ya Municiapality” lost in the last elections but he still has hopes of representing Bushenyi Ishaka Municipality in Parliament for the term 2026-31 on an independent ticket.
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