New Vision - December 15, 2004
Elvina Nawaguna

Faisal Osiga, 19, Athlete:

When my uncle died, he left his kids with no help, so I decided to abstain so that my children can have the care they need.

Sometimes peers tease me and say, "why not let it go?" But when I tell them that my body is the temple of God, they leave me.

When the desire to have sex comes, I jog. I know it is nature, but you can still control it until the right time.

Boys out there, your zip is your gate to the grave. If you open your zip every time, you won't stay long.

Abas Chuchu, 21, Rapper:

Virginity is a virtue. The first time I fell in love, I thought she would "give me", but she told me to keep my virginity. She kept telling me that love takes time.

I get a lot of pressure. The girl is so beautiful but I realised that with God, I have to wait until marriage.

Niggaz (peers) say that I'm æfake' and a non-performer and that my thing will die; but I avoid boys who encourage me into sex. When sexual urges come, I just look at the snap of this beautiful girl, pray hard and play music.

Boys, true love waits. A boy can also be a virgin.

James Okurut, 24, Administrative assistant:

I'm a secondary virgin. I'm abstaining and enjoying it. I last had sex in 2001. After my encounter with sex, I did not get what I used to hear people saying about it. I felt bad and guilty. It has been so challenging. Some people say I am frustrated because ladies don't come to me or that I am docile and have stopped functioning. But I am really stuck to it. Brothers out there, abstain. Learn from me that it is possible with the help of God. Let's not listen to what Hilary and Sagara say that it is impossible.

Johnson Oluga, 23, Third year Law student at Makerere University:

Good things come to those who wait. I am sure someone out there is also waiting for me. My little niece, whose mother died of AIDS, is an inspiration to me. She is a point of contact for me with all those who have suffered the consequences of HIV. At campus, you see everyone has a sexual partner. Girls also push me into involvement. I had to cut some friendships.

When sexual urges come, I get something to keep me busy, like a book or movie not related to sex. Waiting is possible. If you can wait for a moment, then you can wait till marriage. It is the safest and cheapest way.

Musa Mubiru, 23, Botanist from Kamuli:

I have huge ambitions in business and academics. I have to stay alive. It's not easy for any boy who is sexually normal, especially with the freedom at Campus. When the urge comes, I try not to concentrate on it. I trust no girl and no condom. To boys out there, when you concentrate on one thing, your mind will be off another.

Fred Lubangakene, 18, Senior six vacation:

The best condom is abstinence! Since the bible says my body is the temple of Christ, I decided to abstain from sex, to be holy and not contaminate Christ's temple. I handle my sexual urges by reading my bible.

Joy Juuko, 18, Peer counsellor at Kawala Health Centre:

I value my virginity more than $20,000 (sh35m). I fear to die of AIDS. Women like money. Today, girls openly tell you: "I love you." When you say no to them, they tell the whole school that you are a coward. Sometimes I feel like giving in, for fear of being the talk of the day.

Some friends tease me, but I give them some talks about why I'm abstaining. Sex is a choice, not something you have to do.

Wilson Senjobbe, 18, S4 student at City Side College:

Many girls make passes at me and tempt me. My friends tease me, but I don't mind, so long as I'm keeping my virginity for my future marriage partner. I don't want to get STDs. It is not easy, because sometimes I feel like just getting one of those beautiful girls who like me, but I put on self-control.

Noah Mugerwa, 22, Second year Social Sciences student at Makerere University:

I witnessed AIDS walking bare-footed in my district, Rakai. Many of my relatives have died of AIDS. I have goals to fulfil and sex might distract me.

I distance myself from peer influence and ætight' situations. When I get the urge to have sex, I talk to myself that it's not my honeymoon yet. As I talk to myself, the feelings go. Life is made of decisions. Once you don't know what you want, you will end up wasting your life.

Michael Nonzima, 18, S6 student:

I want to keep my virginity for my future wife. I don't have any friends who will encourage me into sex. They all deserted me because I refused to sleep with a girl, so it has been somehow hard, but I am "easy".

When the sexual urge comes, I take a walk.

Ronnie Baguma, 19:

When my friends call me fake, I just tell them that I'm wise and keeping safe. I keep out of dark corners. When I feel like having sex, I just take water and get fine. When I'm in the company of girls and I get tempted, I just go away and chat with boys.

David Semugabi, 22, Education student at Makerere University:

Virginity is 100% good. My most beloved aunt died of AIDS. She called me to her deathbed and said: "My son, never have sex until marriage and even then, you should first go for tests. And when you get married, you should be faithful."

The bible says there is a time for everything, so I postpone my desires.

When the urge comes, I fight with my mind. I convince myself that it's not the right time and I take a cold shower. It is not wise to die before your children can see you or can support themselves.

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