Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision (Kampala) - September 26, 2005
Irene Nabusoba
Critics say the three-pronged approach of Abstinence, Be faithful and Condom use, popularly known as the ABC strategy, was the secret behind Uganda's success story in reducing the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate from 18% in the early 1990s to about 6% today.
They argue that the abstinence campaign was likely to undermine the health ministry's policy of promoting condoms to everyone who needs them. But the Government is encouraging abstinence as the best choice for school-going children, particularly those in primary and secondary schools.
Programmes like the National Youth Forum (NYF) run by the First Lady's office and the Presidential Initiative on HI V/AIDS Strategy for Communication (PISCY), are preaching abstinence.
However, these pro-abstinence programmes have come under strong criticism by some members of the society, NGOs and human rights groups agitating for condoms. They argue that abstinence is a myth.
Stephen Lewis, the UN Secretary-General's special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, says, "Emphasis on abstinence only programmes to prevent AIDS is hobbling Africa's battle against the pandemic by playing down the role of condoms."
Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently published a report accusing the Government of 'abandoning condoms that have been instrumental in fighting HIV infections in favour of unproven and less effective abstinence.'
"Widely hailed as a leader in the prevention of HIV/AIDS, Uganda is redirecting its HIV/AIDS prevention strategy for young people away from scientifically proven effective strategies towards ideologically proven programmes that primarily promote abstinence until marriage," the body says.
The US human rights agency says demographic health survey shows that 'almost half of Ugandan girls have sex by the age of 17 years, usually with someone older.'
Eyebrows were first raised when an Israeli company, SBI International Holdings and Kilembe Mines Hospital recently launched an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in Kasese town with pupils carrying placards with the message: "If not, use a condom."
Both the Ministry of Education and headteachers have questioned the implications of exposing students to the condom before the consent age of 18.
Dr. JC Muyingo, the headteacher of Uganda Martyrs SS Namugongo, says condoms should never be allowed in secondary schools downwards. "We strongly encourage students to abstain," says Muyingo.
"If you give them condoms, they will want to try them out. In fact, condoms are some of the prohibited items in my school. If a student is found with one, he is liable to a one-month suspension. But we hold counselling programmes and teach them safe skills, among them, information on condom-use. We have some students, who are already sexually active, but we just sensitise them on the dangers of indulging in sex before marriage, the rest is up to them," says Muyingo, who is also the Mengo minister of education.
Kibuli Secondary School AIDS club patron Christine Sizoomu also believes giving students condoms would be like "licensing them to start sex" because of their adventurous nature.
"The moment you distribute condoms to children at that age (school-going age), you are like one declaring indulgence in sex officially. You make them anxious. You boost their spirit of adventure. They will try them and, who knows if they will follow the instructions well. We encourage abstinence," he says.
Ephraim Obonyo, deputy headteacher of Najja Secondary School, says he is also against distributing condoms in schools.
"Let students buy the condoms if they want them. Besides, many of them would not follow instructions properly if you randomly distributed the condoms, which renders them more vulnerable," Obonyo says.
"Abstinence is the defence and shield for teenagers. Schools should simply fill in the information gaps by giving the youngsters education on life skills and condom use," he added.
The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) discourages schools distributing condoms to students.
The commission's spokesperson, James Magezi, says schools should promote life-training skills to enable students overcome adolescence and peer pressure.
He argues that school-going children are very curious and giving them condoms would be like "shooting yourself in the foot."
He warned that NGOs distributing condoms in schools would be investigated and their licences revoked because they undermine the fight against the pandemic among the youth.
Yusuf Nsubuga, the HIV/AIDS focal point officer at the Ministry of Education, says schools handling children below 18 years should only stick to condom-education.
"Schools are mandated to provide HIV/AIDS education, which includes condom education. Distribution of condoms should be left to other stakeholders with the competence to do so," Nsubuga.
Just like in the alphabet and, particularly the young people, the majority of whom can be found in primary and secondary schools, who have not found their first sexual encounter, abstinence is superior to than other weapons in fighting AIDS," he said.
"Cases of sexually active pupils, or students, particularly at primary, or secondary level, should be treated as exceptions.
The cases should be resolved through parental counselling and advising students to live responsibly. The health ministry discourages distributing condoms to young people in schools, where the competence to do so, is clearly lacking.
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