KAMPALA: Legislators have asked non-governmental organizations to intensify activism and awareness about HIV/AIDS in Uganda.
The Members of Parliament appealed to an orientation seminar organized by the Forum on Quality Health & HIV/AIDS. The orientation held on Monday, December 6, 2021, at Parliament, attracted several research and advocacy organizations focused on HIV/AIDS.
The organizations included: Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Uganda Cares, Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development (HEPS), Uganda Network on Law Ethics and HIV/AIDS (UGANET), and Joint Medical Stores (JMS).
Honorable Boaz Ninsiima (NRM, Kooki County) told the representatives of the organizations that declining numbers in HIV infection over the years had led to a certain level of complacency in the communities.
“People have relaxed because they do not hear about the disease that much or do not see a vivid impact of it. We need to reawaken and sensitize communities on the fact that the disease still exists,” he said.
Ninsiima noted that people had reverted to their old ways, throwing caution to the wind when it comes to sex, forgetting that there are still infections.
Kole District Woman Representative, Judith Alyek, called upon fellow Members to advocate for the operationalization of the HIV/ AIDS trust fund that would go a long way in supporting activities of the aforementioned organizations specifically regarding sensitization.
“As we demand more sensitization of the communities from these organizations, we must play our part in anchoring them financially by pushing for the government to put into effect the HIV/AIDS Trust Fund,” she explained.
Alyek noted that there is only so much the organizations can do in advocacy around the entire country.
The Director IDI, Dr. Andrew Kambugu, said that the Institute largely depends on foreign support especially from the United States with the Ugandan government contributing about one percent to its annual budget.
“We need the government to boost its contribution from the US $300,000 to US$ 1 million in order anchor our sensitization activities in the communities,” he stated.
The representative from Joint Medical Stories, Purity Mukisa, said that similarly, they needed more support from the government to sensitize communities on access to medical care for the management of HIV/AIDS.
The organizations jointly requested the legislators to lobby the government for financial support in executing their community operations.