KAMPALA, Nov 22, 2007 (AFP) - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II said Thursday she felt "a sorrow so profound" at what she called the "scourge of HIV and AIDS" following a visit to a clinic in Uganda for sufferers of the disease.
During the 35-40 minute visit, the queen watched a fashion show put on by some of the several hundred children being treated at the centre, chatted with some of them and unveiled a plaque.
Accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, she also visited the section of the centre housing bedridden patients but the press was barred from this part of the visit.
Uganda was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to register a drop in HIV infection rates among adults, although the United Nations AIDS programme UNAIDS this week warned the country against complacency.
Addressing the Ugandan parliament later, in a speech frequently interrupted by MPs stamping their feet in appreciation, the queen said Uganda's efforts in tackling AIDS were a "cause of real hope."
The 81-year-old queen was last in Uganda in 1954, eight years before the East African country -- hosting the Commonwealth's biennial summit for the first time -- acquired its independence from Britain.
"We are delighted to be here once more," she said. "The UK remains a committed friend of Uganda."
She also paid tribute to Uganda for sending 1,500 peacekeepers to Somalia, the only country in the African Union to do so despite a pledge by the grouping to dispatch an 8,000-strong force.
The Commonwealth heads of government summit officially opens on Friday.
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