KIGALI, Dec 1 (AFP) - Authorities in Rwanda marked World AIDS Day on Wednesday by organising demonstrations across the country.

"Rwanda is involved in World AIDS Day, and several demonstrations have been organised in the country to raise awareness among the population," Radio Rwanda reported.

The events were organised by the health and youth ministries as well as by the national anti-AIDS programme, the National Youth Council and UNAIDS.

In the capital, several hundred people gathered at Amahoro stadium after marching for seveal kilometers (miles).

Many soldiers donned T-shirts with slogans encouraging people to fight the pandemic. The ceremony also featured traditional singing and dancing.

AIDS has killed some 150,000 people, including 20,000 children, in Rwanda this year. About 400,000 people carry the HIV virus, according to a recent study.

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