2007

Uganda: Mengo Post-Test Club Brings Hope to HIV-Positive People: New Vision (Kampala) - December 30, 2007; Angela Hill; Kampala - ENTRY to a Post-Test Club only requires an HIV test and once admitted, members receive support, health-education and the ability to tell others the advantages of testing. Before coming here, I used to fear, I thought people would laugh at me, 38-year-old Murajib said, adding, When I come here, I feel free.
Uganda: Sida Funds Anti-AIDS Campaign: New Vision (Kampala) - December 19, 2007; Joel Ogwang; Kampala - THE Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) has donated sh10.1b to help combat HIV/AIDS among the fishing communities of Lake Victoria basin. The fisheries component will be implemented by the Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization (LVFO). The group and the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF
Uganda: Masindi Aids Day Painted in Art: New Vision (Kampala) - December 18, 2007; William Rwebembera; Kampala - AN art exhibition for primary and secondary schools coloured the World AIDS Day in Masindi. The three-day exhibition, which ran from Thursday to Saturday, drew participants from all over the district. The Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) staff working with the district education department organised an art c
Uganda: NGO to Start HIV Mobile Clinics: New Vision (Kampala) - December 16, 2007; Brian Mutebi; Kampala - PERSONS infected with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis as well as those at risk of contracting the diseases, will access free services. The American Hope Charities (AHC), a Christian charity based in the US, will soon set up mobile clinics and invest in other HIV/AIDS programmes in Uganda . Speaking recently,
Uganda: Kasensero - Where Women Are Communal: New Vision (Kampala) - December 14, 2007; Lydia Namubiru; Kampala - IN the early 1980s, Kasensero landing site became a tourist attraction for the wrong reason. It was the first locality in Uganda to be hit by AIDS. People travelled from as far as Kampala to the landing site in Rakai district at the border with Tanzania to see AIDS patients. Today, their lifestyle
Uganda: Country and USA Sign Peace Corps Agreement: New Vision (Kampala) - December 13, 2007; Conan Businge; Kampala - THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday signed an agreement with the USA to strengthen operation of the Peace Corps in Uganda . The agreement replaced one signed 46 years ago and it allowed the expansion of the Peace Corps in the country. According to a statement from the foreign affairs ministry, the agree
Uganda: Mayors Donate to AIDS Orphans: New Vision (Kampala) - December 12, 2007; Dradenya Amazia; Kampala - THE Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders Initiative in HIV/AIDS in Lower Local government (AMICALL) has donated items to AIDS orphans. The items which were distributed by the Moyo Town Council LCIII chairperson, Mary Mania, included sewing machines, goats, pigs, poultry and foodstuffs. Mania said they wer
Uganda: FIDA - Legal Rights for People Affected By HIV And Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - December 10, 2007; Kampala - FIDA (U) in partnership with Plan Uganda and Ausaid has been implementing a project Legal Rights for People Affected by HIV and AIDS (PAHA) in Kawempe Division. The project is an effort to reduce community vulnerability to HIV and AIDS in Kawempe community. The program is in its fourth year of implementation
Uganda: NUDIPU Starts HIV/Aids Campaign: New Vision (Kampala) - December 9, 2007; Aidah Nanyonjo; Kampala - THE National Union of Disabled Persons in Uganda (NUDIPU), has received sh1.4b from DANIDA to start an HIV/AIDS project. Part of the funds will finance a media campaign to highlight the plight of disabled persons in accessing health services. Speaking at the launch of the campaign in Kamwokya, recently, Chris
Uganda: HIV Patients Find Hope in Antiretroviral Drugs: New Vision (Kampala) - December 9, 2007; Conan Businge; Kampala - THE sky is full of dark clouds, which look solid enough to send a heavy downpour. But Fatima, a vendor in Kasese town market, looks unbothered. She has to work hard to sustain herself and her HIV-positive son, alongside three other children. Fatima tested HIV-positive nine years ago. A few months later, docto
Uganda: Promote Food Security to Fight Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - December 9, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; Kampala - THE World Food Programme (WFP) has urged the Government to enhance food security to fight HIV AIDS. Addressing participants at a national dissemination workshop on AIDS, Livelihoods and Food Security, Alix Loriston, WFP s deputy country director, said high malnutrition rates affect the level of drug adherence
Uganda: Ministry to Roll Out Free Circumcision: New Vision (Kampala) - December 7, 2007; Hilary Bainemigisha; Kampala - THE Ministry of Health is planning to roll out circumcision free-of-charge countrywide as a preventive strategy against HIV/AIDS, Dr Sam Zaramba, Director General, Health Services has said. We are currently conducting a needs-assessment and consulting key stakeholders in the area of HIV/AIDS policy and servic
EDITORIAL: Uganda: Knowing HIV Status is a Vital Weapon: New Vision (Kampala) - December 4, 2007; Kampala - SATURDAY, December 1 was World AIDS Day. Uganda has been at the forefront of fighting HIV/AIDS and became the first African country to reduce HIV infection rates. By 2002, the rate had come down to 6.2% from 18% in 1992. This success story is attributed to strong political leadership spearheaded by President
Uganda: KPC Rallies Against HIV: New Vision (Kampala) - December 3, 2007; xx; Kampala - THE AIDS Bicycle Challenge, held on December 1, took Kampala by storm. The rally, organised by Pastor Joshua Mugabi of Kampala Pentecostal Church, was one of the church s activities to mark the World AIDS Day. The race attracted over 50 cyclists, many of them from the Cycling Association of
Uganda: 'Cross-Generation Sex a Challenge in Aids Fight': New Vision (Kampala) - December 3, 2007; Carol Natukunda; Kampala - UGANDA faces the challenge of dealing with cross-generational sex among children living with HIV, James Kinobe, the youth and children affairs minister, has said. Cross-generational sex means a sexual relationship between a young girl and a much older man, with an age difference of 10 years or more. In the pa
Uganda: Ssebaana Roots for Herbs in Aids Fight: New Vision (Kampala) - December 3, 2007; Emmanuel Kajubu; Kampala - LEADERS should encourage the use of local herbs in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, John Ssebaana Kizito has suggested. Ssebaana, the patron of Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders in Africa to fight HIV/AIDS (AMICAALL), urged medical personnel to jointly work with traditional doctors in the fight against the A
Uganda: More Efforts Needed to Save HIV-Positive Children: New Vision (Kampala) - December 2, 2007; Conan Businge; Kampala - FIVE-YEAR-OLD Joy does not know why she has to take pills daily. But her mother, Juliet Kugonza of Kasese town, has taught her never to forget. Joy is one of the 50,000 or so children under 14 years who are living with HIV/AIDS. In Africa, studies show that without proper treatment, one in three newborns infe
Uganda: One in Three in G7 Ignorant About Aids - Survey: New Vision (Kampala) - December 2, 2007; Kampala - ONE in three adults in the world s top democracies say they know little about AIDS, a disease that has killed more than 28 million people,a poll showed on Thursday. But the survey, carried out for World Vision, found that in the seven countries, 44% of respondents would willingly pay more taxes to combat AIDS
Uganda: Urban Authorities to Fight HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - December 2, 2007; Elvis Basudde; Kampala - UGANDA has notably reduced the spread of HIV/AIDS over the last two decades, dropping from 18% in 1991 to 6.4% in 2004. However, HIV/AIDS prevalence remains high in urban areas at 10.1% compared to 5.7% in rural areas, according to National HIV/AIDS Sero-Behavioural Survey 2004/2005. The study indicates urban
Africa: HIV-TB Co-Epidemic Sweeps Sub-Saharan Region - Report: New Vision (Kampala) - December 2, 2007; Kampala - DRUG-RESISTANT TB and HIV have merged into a double-barrelled epidemic sweeping across sub-Saharan Africa, according to a recent report. The report called for urgent measures to curb the spread. Such measures include: fast diagnosis of TB in HIV; new methods to map HIV and TB hotspots and screening to identif
Uganda: New Drug Combo Eases Mother-Child HIV Dilemma: New Vision (Kampala) - December 2, 2007; Kampala - A new drug could ease a dilemma that many HIV-positive mothers faced, a new study reported recently. Previously, a dose of niverapine during labour reduced the chances of the infant getting HIV by 40%. But if the newborn got infected, they were more likely to acquire a strain of HIV that was resistant to drug
Uganda: AIDS Increasing Number of Child Labourers - Minister: New Vision (Kampala) - November 28, 2007; Milton Olupot; Kampala - The AIDS scourge has increased the number of child labourers in the country, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development has said. Syda Bbumba yesterday said the largest number of working children, who also head households, were orphaned by AIDS. She was briefing the media ahead of the World AIDS da
Uganda: 500 Couples Test for HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - November 28, 2007; Ronald Kalyango; Kampala - About 500 couples turned up for free counselling and voluntary HIV testing at the AIDS Information Centre headquarters in Mengo-Kisenyi on Monday. The exercise, dubbed Couple Week , runs till the end of the month and is targeting over 2,000 couples. It is part of the activities organised to commemorate the Wo
Uganda: Education, German Agency Design Strategy to Fight HIV: New Vision (Kampala) - November 27, 2007; Jean-Marie Nsambu, Kampala; THE education ministry and the German Promotion of Employment-Oriented Vocational and Technical Training (PEVOT) programme, has come up with a new strategy for combating HIV/AIDS among young people. The New Start in the Fight against AIDS follows the success of a board game, Make a New Start Today, launched at the Worl
Fighting Aids Through Music: New Vision (Kampala) - November 25, 2007; Elvis Basudde; Kampala - SHE may be infected with HIV, but that has not stopped her from achieving her long-term ambition to excel in life. Sylvia Nakibuule, 27, caused a stir when she went to WBS Television and made a public declaration about her HIV-positive status. I chose to announce my status in order to give a face to HIV, espe
Activists Calls for More Aids Drugs: New Vision (Kampala) - November 25, 2007; Joyce Namutebi; Kampala - A network of civil society organisations against HIV/AIDS has called for the universal access to ARVs. The Commonwealth Action Group on HIV was concerned that globally, 60% of the people living with HIV were citizens of the bloc and the majority of them (75%) did not have access to treatment. Vulnerable citiz
Delegates discuss HIV/AIDS: New Vision (Kampala) - November 20, 2007; Hilary Bainemigisha; OF the 40 million people living with HIV and AIDS worldwide, 25 million are in the Commonwealth. The number rises by five million each year, Commonwealth delegates and stakeholders were told at an HIV/AIDS workshop at Hotel Africana on Monday. The theme, HIV prevention Education as a Tool for Social Transformation , lo
HIV/AIDS: Southern Africa worst hit: New Vision (Kampala) - November 20, 2007; IN 2006, almost two thirds (63%) of all persons infected with HIV were living in sub-Saharan Africa, or 24.7 million. An estimated 2.8 million adults and children became infected with HIV in 2006, more than in all other regions of the world combined. The 2.1 million AIDS deaths in sub-Saharan Africa represent 72% of gl
HIV And Malaria Linked: New Vision (Kampala) - November 20, 2007; Kampala - Unexpectedly high levels of HIV infection are being found in adults seeking treatment for malaria in Uganda . More than 30% of adults presenting at district health centres with uncomplicated falciparum malaria were co-infected with HIV. Clinical treatment for malaria was three times more likely in adults with
HIV And Conflicts: New Vision (Kampala) - November 20, 2007; Kampala - New research findings from Uganda cast doubt on the widely held assumption that internally displaced persons and refugees are more likely to be HIV-infected than people in ostensibly more stable settings. Acholiland, in northern Uganda, is home to an estimated two million internally displaced persons. At just
Sexual diseases, drug abuse worry Commonwealth: New Vision (Kampala) - November 19, 2007; Alfred Wasike & Moses Mulondo; EXCESSIVE consumption of alcohol, drugs abuse, HIV/AIDS and obesity plague millions of youth worldwide, the Pan Commonwealth Youth Caucus has said. Speaking at the Youth Forum at Entebbe, chairperson Baker Mobafa of Trinidad & Tobago
Queen to Visit Mildmay: New Vision (Kampala) - November 19, 2007; Hllen Mukiibi; Kampala - THE Queen will interact with people living with HIV/AIDS at the Mildmay Centre during her visit to Uganda next week. The centre is located in Lweza on Entebbe Road, 12km south of Kampala. According to the British press, this will be Queen Elizabeth s first visit to an AIDS clinic. In a recent interview, John
'Youth Causing HIV Spread': New Vision (Kampala) - November 13, 2007; Rehema Aanyu; Kampala - The high rate of new HIV/AIDS infections is due to laxity and recklessness among the youths, the director general of the Uganda AIDS Commission has said. Apuuli Kihumuro said many people, especially the youth, no longer feared HIV/AIDS and were engaging in irresponsible behaviour like having unprotected sex.
Search for Miracle Healing a Big Blow to HIV Kids Clinic: New Vision (Kampala) - November 13, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; Kampala - BEING HIV-positive is bad enough, but facing the fact that your child is also infected is heartbreaking. This is why Mega sought a quick fix in the name of prayer for a miracle healing, not knowing she was sending her five-year-old child to an early grave. I was tired of everything; the queues at hospitals, a
HIV, cancer increase oral health infections: New Vision (Kampala) - November 11, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; ACCIDENTS, HIV/AIDS and cancer have increased oral health problems in the country, the Uganda Dental Association, has said. Dr Francis Lacor, the association s president, said tooth decay, gum diseases, swelling of the jaws (tumours), HIV/AIDS oral manifestations and trauma form the bulk of their admissions. Most
Taso Takes HIV Campaign to Mityana: New Vision (Kampala) - November 11, 2007; Elvis Basudde; Kampala - THE three-day TASO central region music festival, held in Mityana, recently, proved that theatre is a very strong tool of communication and can effectively disseminate anti-AIDS messages. TASO Jinja, emerged best in the music, dance and drama festival organised by the AIDS Support Organisation (TASO)
Early Testing Saves Children: New Vision (Kampala) - November 11, 2007; Juliet Waiswa; Kampala - ALTHOUGH Uganda s HIV prevalence has dropped to 6.4% from 18% in the early 1990s, there is still a high number of people living with HIV/AIDS in urban areas, accounting for 12%. Children account for about 14% of AIDS deaths, but only about 6% of them receive antiretroviral therapy (ART). The Ministry of Healt
Buturo Now Singing New Tune On Gays: New Vision (Kampala) - November 9, 2007; Kampala - UNBELIEVABLE! These could be the only kind words from the ethics and integrity state minister, Dr. James Nsaba Buturo, to homosexuals. He has come across as anti-gay on many occasions, prompting the gay-rights activists to push for his blacklisting. They were claiming that Buturo was violating the human right
Market Vendors Living With HIV Get a New Lease On Life: New Vision (Kampala) - November 7, 2007; Flavia Nakagwa; Kampala - Sarah Nankya and Dick Kayemba were HIV/AIDS counsellors, but they were devastated on discovering they were HIV-positive in 2001. To them, life was not worth living. However, through the Market Vendors AIDS Project (MAVAP), the couple has been given a new lease on life, writes Flavia Nakagwa When I tested HIV-
Ex-Murchison Bay Hospital Administrator Wins Lukwiya Prize: New Vision (Kampala) - November 6, 2007; Flavia Nakagwa; Kampala - EVELYN Akello has won this year s fifth annual Dr. Matthew Lukwiya Memorial Award worth $1,000 (about sh1.7m). She was recognised for her outstanding work in HIV/AIDS prevention. Akello, a former Murchison Bay Prison Hospital administrator, participated in the development of the Rakai district HIV/AIDS strate
Confidence betrayed: My teacher forced me to have sex with her husband: New Vision (Kampala) - November 5, 2007; Alice Emasu; MANGERI left her Ajono pot and headed to her neighbour s house. She asked Atim, her former pupil and the neighbour s daughter to come and help her carry food from her compound as it was threatening to rain. At Mangeri s home, which is only a stone-throw away, Atim did not find any food in the compound. Instead, Mangeri
Nevirapine Saved Reagan From Getting HIV: New Vision (Kampala) - November 5, 2007; Simon Peter Esaku; Kampala - EVERY time you say bye and continue to shoot a photo of him waving back, he says: Bye bisuba, (meaning bye liar). Reagan Mujuni is only coming to three years yet he knows the difference between a liar and an honest person. Mujuni, who makes friends quickly, is not only known for his high intellect. He is so h
Joint Clinical Centre Resumes Operations: New Vision (Kampala) - November 4, 2007; Alfred Wasike; Kampala - THE Joint Clinical Research Centre has resumed operations after it was gutted by fire last week. All our laboratories are intact. Our Antiretrovirals (ARVs) and other necessities were not affected. It would have been a disaster if the fire had entered the building. There were about 25 critically ill patients
New School Curriculum to Fight AIDS Launched: New Vision (Kampala) - October 30, 2007; Titus Serunjogi; Kampala - SAVANNAH Sunrise Clinic (SAS) has introduced a new curriculum aimed at reducing HIV infection in Uganda to less than 1%. The Immunisation by Education Strategy (IBES) was launched at Hotel Africana, recently. The strategy has taken in more than 18,000 pupils from 36 primary schools in Kampala. We have ha
High percentage of HIV mouth infections in western Uganda: New Vision (Kampala) - October 28, 2007; Rehema Aanyu; ORAL health experts and researchers at the recent 21st Annual Scientific Conference, have confirmed the high prevalence of oral lesions associated with HIV/AIDS in south western Uganda . Francis Tirwomwe and E. Agwu, researchers at Kampala International University s western campus in Bushenyi, revealed that a total of
Soldier to Hang for Killing Lover: New Vision (Kampala) - October 28, 2007; Chris Ocowun; Kampala - THE military court martial in Amuru district on Friday sentenced a UPDF soldier to death by hanging for murdering his girlfriend. Private Denis Omona killed Beatrice Akio after he accused her of infecting him and his wife with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The UPDF 4th division court martial sitting at the
Germany Offers $4.3m to Fight STDs: New Vision (Kampala) - October 26, 2007; Raymond Baguma; Kampala - THE German development bank, KfW, has donated $4.3m for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and reduction of maternal and infant mortality in western Uganda . The grant is expected to benefit 255,000 people in the next four years, including 110,000 mothers and 35,000 patients with sexually t
Soldier faces Court Martial for killing lover over HIV infection: New Vision (Kampala) - October 24, 2007; Chris Ocowun; A UPDF soldier, who killed his girlfriend for allegedly infecting him with HIV, has appeared before the Court Martial at Parongo displaced persons camp in Amuru district. Activities at the camp came to a standstill as residents turned up to witness the trial. It is alleged that Pte. Dennis Omona Anywar fired 32 bullets
New Anti-AIDS Policy: New Vision (Kampala) - October 23, 2007; Chris Kiwawulo; Kampala - THE Uganda AIDS Commission is implementing a new strategy aimed at reducing the HIV/AIDS spread by over 40%. The approach will involve boosting the ABC (Abstinence, Being faithful and Condom use) strategy with a patient treatment-based approach. The proposal, contained in the national HIV/AIDS strategic plan,
SAS set to fight AIDS: New Vision (Kampala) - October 22, 2007; CAN you imagine a world without HIV/AIDS? You and I can be part of the solution to make this happen. This is what Savannah Sunrise (SAS) Foundation president, Dr. Robert Muhumuza, and his team, some of whom came from the US, said over dinner at Hotel Africana, recently. The dinner was meant to raise funds for SAS proje
New Kits for HIV/AIDS Patients: New Vision (Kampala) - October 22, 2007; Mark Owor; Kampala - THE Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the Population Service International, has distributed over 133,000 basic health care kits and trained 315 health service providers and peer educators countrywide. The basic care package was mainly for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their families. It is designed t
Parliament Staff Test for HIV: New Vision (Kampala) - October 21, 2007; Paul Kiwuuwa; Kampala - OVER 200 Parliament staff were tested for HIV/AIDS at the Parliament recently. The Presidential Guard Brigade, some MPs, the parliamentary Police, Roko Construction workers, journalists and other non-parliamentary staff also took advantage of the free HIV/AIDS tests. Parliamentary spokesperson Helen Kawesa sa
Raped? Get Treatment for HIV to Avoid Infection: New Vision (Kampala) - October 21, 2007; Irene Nabusoba and Harriette Onyalla; Kampala - AIDS does not only travel with truckers along African highways; it flies business class with men in dark suits, crawls into marriages and lurks in playgrounds. It smiles at you everyday at work. These are the words of Deborah Williams, an AIDS activist from Tobago . Witho
One in Five Adolescents Believe AIDS Can Be Cured - Survey: New Vision (Kampala) - October 21, 2007; Fred Ouma; Kampala - DESPITE years of intense media coverage and community discussions about HIV in Uganda , the results show that the battle against the scourge is far from over. A survey, The Straight Talk Campaign in Uganda: Impact of Mass Media Initiative, conducted by the Population Council, found a significant correlation b
You Can Now Prove Your HIV Status in 2 Weeks: New Vision (Kampala) - October 21, 2007; Harriet Birungi; Kampala - PREVIOUSLY, you had to wait for at least three months after exposure to know your HIV status. But now, you can know your HIV status after two weeks, thanks to the improved method of testing at the Uganda Virus Institute in Entebbe. Dr Gerald Sebulime of HIV Reference Laboratory, says with the modified and imp
Expert Advises On HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - October 21, 2007; Fred Ouma; Kampala - THERE is need to adopt more action-oriented initiatives towards fighting the HIV/AIDS scourge. According to Prof. Joep Lange, from the Academic Medical Centre in the Netherlands : More needs to be done in tackling the issues in HIV treatment and prevention research. Speaking at the launch of the INTERACT
Katatumba to Perform At AIDS Concert: New Vision (Kampala)- October 18, 2007; Stephen Ssenkaaba, Kampala; REKNOWNED musician Angella Katatumba, famous saxophonist Isaiah Katumwa and a Kampala-based acapella group G3U will perform in a live concert at the unveiling of a new HIV strategy by the Savannah Sunrise Foundation (SAS) at Hotel Africana this evening at six o clock. The Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, will be
Mildmay to Treat Over 9,000 Children Infected With HIV: New Vision (Kampala) - October 16, 2007; Flavia Nakagwa; Kampala - OVER 9,000 orphans and vulnerable children with HIV/Aids are to receive free treatment from Mildmay Jajja s Home this year, the vice-president of Mildmay International, Ruth Sims, has said. Sims said more than 1,000 children had been successfully rehabilitated from the home and some of them had joined higher
Medic Wins Award for HIV: New Vision (Kampala) - October 16, 2007; Raymond Baguma; Kampala - A UGANDAN scientist, Dr. Abdullah Kirumira, has won an award from the London-based The Economist magazine for his research on HIV/Aids. Kirumira is the founder and chief executive officer of BioMedica Diagnostics, a medical biotechnology company based in Windsor, Canada . He will be recognised for invent
UPDF soldier shoots wife over HIV infection: New Vision (Kampala) - October 15, 2007; Chris Ocowun; A UPDF soldier attached to the 43rd Battalion has been arrested for killing his wife. While at a party at Parabongo displaced persons camp in Amuru district on Saturday, Private Denis Omona alleged that his wife, Auma Margaret Akio, had infected him with HIV and shot her. Lt. Chris Magezi, the northern army spokesperso
Sh700 Million Global Fund Cash Refunded: New Vision (Kampala) - October 12, 2007; John Eremu; Kampala - CLOSE to sh700m has been recovered from individuals and institutions implicated in the misappropriation of the Global Fund to fight Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. The biggest single refund was from dfcu Bank, which paid back sh455m. The refund was apparently the commission paid to an individual who linke
Museveni Opens AIDS Drugs Factory: New Vision (Kampala) - October 8, 2007; Alfred Wasike; Kampala - PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has said some people within the Government tried to sabotage the construction of Africa s first plant to manufacture the full triple therapy combination of anti-retroviral medicines. I supported the construction of this plant immediately because we have a big number of our people wit
Ill-Treatment Deters AIDS Patients From Accessing ARVs: New Vision (Kampala) - October 7, 2007; Elvis Basudde; Kampala - SOME healthworkers attached to antiretroviral therapy (ART) behave unprofessionally. They abuse people living with HIV/Aids (PLWHAs) and ask them for money. This is contained in a report on a research carried out in Rakai to understand the gravity of limited access to antiretroviral therapy services. This no
People Living With HIV Make Paper Bags: New Vision (Kampala) - October 5, 2007; Charles Wendo; Kampala - The ban on buveera has opened up new opportunities. For instance friends receiving HIV care at the Mulago-based Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) have now started making paper bags for sale. We have 10,000 people here and they can make a lot of polythene bags, so they have started learning, says Prof. Keith
Country Now Makes ARVs: New Vision (Kampala) - October 5, 2007; Charles Wendo; Kampala - A year ago it was a potato garden. Now the 15-acre plot is hosting a hi-tech pharmaceutical factory, the first of its kind in Africa. The factory, to be commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni on Monday, will produce the full triple therapy combination of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, something that has not b
Workers With HIV/AIDS to Access NSSF Savings Earlier: New Vision (Kampala) - October 4, 2007; Fortunate Ahimbisibwe and Charles Bwogi; Kampala - THE National Social Security Fund (NSSF) plans to allow people living with HIV/Aids to access their money even when they have not reached the retirement age. The managing director, David Jamwa, yesterday said this was part of the fund s five-year strategic plan. It is one of our responsibilities to provide a
EDITORIAL: Early Intervention Crucial in HIV Fight: New Vision (Kampala) - October 2, 2007; Kampala - Today is Paediatric HIV Advocacy Day. Statistics in Uganda show that 25,000 babies are born with HIV every year and about 110,000 are living with it. More than 50,000 children living with HIV are in immediate need of medication, but less than one in five are receiving it. HIV testing and treatment for childre
U.S. Gives Sh485b for HIV Programmes: New Vision (Kampala) - September 30, 2007; Dismus Buregyeya; THE U.S. government has increased funding for HIV/Aids programmes to $280m (about sh485b). This is an increase by $30b from last year. The revelation was made by the U.S. ambassador, Steven Browning, at the opening of Ten Tables Restaurant in Masaka recently. Uganda is among the highest beneficiaries from the HIV/Aids
Mubende District Gets AIDS Clinic: New Vision (Kampala) - September 30, 2007; Juliet Waiswa; PEOPLE living with HIV/Aids in Mubende district no longer have to travel to Kampala for a CD4 count test, HIV testing and antiretroviral drugs. The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) recently opened a sh120m antiretroviral treatment clinical centre in the district. The centre will also aid residents of the neighbour
Born with HIV, Now 23: New Vision (Kampala) - September 28, 2007; Harriette Onyalla; MARTHA Naigwe was born with HIV. On Tuesday she will celebrate her 23rd birthday. Never did she know she would reach this age. It is just God It s a miracle, says Martha. Many of my friends with whom I used to get treatment at the Mildmay Centre have died. Everytime I heard that someone had died, I would think I was ne
ARV Plant to Be Launched in October: New Vision (Kampala) - September 21, 2007; Juliet Waiswa; Kampala - A FACTORY worth $30m (about sh48b) to produce Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) will be commissioned in October in Luzira, a city suburb, an official has said. Emmanuel Katongole, the managing director of Quality Chemicals, said the plant, which is the first in the region, will manufacture ARVs, anti-malarial table
Army Warned on HIV: New Vision (Kampala) - September 21, 2007; Alfred Wasike; Kampala - PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has warned the Uganda People s Defence Forces against the AIDS scourge. Passing out 2,231 HIV-free recruits who completed a nine-month course at the Kaweweta Military School, 291km northwest of Kampala on Thursday, Museveni cautioned the soldiers against reckless living. This is
OPINION: If You Have Ears, Cut Your Foreskin: New Vision (Kampala) - September 19, 2007; Hilary Bainemigisha, Kampala; IF fire broke out in a building, the Government would not rush for the nearest exit! It would need to appoint a commission of inquiry to investigate the fire, organise debates on whether to put out the fire or evacuate the building, consult with partners on how best to react, build consensus, write a proposal on the wa
Lira Gets Youth Centre: New Vision (Kampala) - September 19, 2007; Patrick Okino; Northwest Medical Teams, an NGO based in the US, has constructed a youth centre in Lira district worth sh200m. The facility at Ogur sub-county will be used for HIV/AIDS testing and counselling, testing young pregnant mothers, screening for sexually transmitted infections and dissemination of information on the dangers
HIV/Aids Patients Appeal for More Drugs: New Vision (Kampala) - September 17, 2007; Esther Mukyala; Kampala - PEOPLE living with HIV/Aids have appealed to the Government to increase the accessibility of Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in order to live more positive, productive and prolonged lives. In a report read out at the 11th annual general meeting of The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) Jinja on Saturday, the clients
ARVs Worth Sh1b to Be Destroyed: New Vision (Kampala) - September 16, 2007; Elvis Basudde; Kampala - NATIONAL Medical Stores (NMS) has assured people living with HIV/Aids that expired Anti Retroviral drugs (ARVs) worth sh1.2b will be destroyed before the end of this month. Albert Kalangwa, the acting head of stores, marketing and operations, said arrangements to destroy the drugs are in the final stages. Amo
4,800 HIV Patients in Gulu Receive Food Supplements: New Vision (Kampala) - September 16, 2007; Chris Ocowun; Kampala - AT least 4,800 people living with HIV/Aids in Gulu district have received food supplements from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Vision. Kimera Mutebi, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) district manager, recently said 7,920 people had registered for the programme. He added that 2,500 people wil
Councillors Warned On HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - September 13, 2007; Cornes Lubangakene; COUNCILLORS of Gulu Municipal Council have been urged to guard against HIV/AIDS in order to save the council money that would otherwise go into meeting burial expenses. The councillor for Pece division, Charles Okwakalwak, sounded the warning during a one-day workshop on HIV/AIDS at the workplace. The workshop, which t
NGO Wants Health Providers Probed: New Vision (Kampala) - September 13, 2007; Hillary Nsambu; THE National Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda (NACWOLA) has urged the Government to investigate health service providers who stigmatise HIV-positive women in internally displaced persons camps. We call upon the Government to investigate health providers who are stressing people living with HIV/AIDS in
Mao bars NGO from Gulu district: New Vision (Kampala) - September 12, 2007; Chris Ocowun; THE Gulu LC5 chairman, Norbert Mao, has asked the Police to investigate reports that Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) Spain has been administering HIV/AIDS and TB drugs that are not yet approved by the health ministry. The Gulu district executive committee recently suspended the activities of the international NGO at Lalo
Mayor Calls for Condoms in Public Toilets: New Vision (Kampala) - September 9, 2007; Ali Mambule; MBARARA mayor, Wilson Tumwine, has advised political leaders and counsellors to keep condoms in public toilets to save more people from contracting HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases. Tumwine said many people, especially the youth were afraid of picking condoms from public places and in hospitals where th
Youth Warned on Immorality: New Vision (Kampala) - September 4, 2007; Florence Nakaayi; THE youth have been warned against engaging in immoral acts that could expose them to HIV/Aids. Speaking at the seventh graduation of the Kamwokya Vocational Training Centre, the country representative of the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association, Albert Burgi, said HIV/Aids hinders the youth from practici
Jinja Aids Centre Gets Testing Unit: New Vision (Kampala) - September 3, 2007; Esther Mukyala; THE Aids Information Centre in Jinja has acquired a new HIV/Aids testing machine. The digitalised and computerised machine will be used to carry out CD4/CD8 tests. Paul Oboth, the centre laboratory technician, last week said the machine can establish the level of immune suppression of an HIV-positive person. The inform
Man remanded over fake HIV/AIDS NGO: New Vision (Kampala) - September 3, 2007; Charles Kakamwa; A man accused of conning people living with HIV/AIDS has been remanded to Kirinya Prison in Jinja. Edward Kafuko, the deputy director of Living With AIDS in the Community, a non-government organisation (NGO), was arraigned before the Grade One Magistrate last week. Court heard that Kafuko opened the organisation in May
Improved Nutrition Cannot Replace ARVs: New Vision (Kampala) - August 31, 2007; Hilary Bainemigisha; GOOD nutrition is important in fighting HIV progression to Aids but, alone, it cannot fight HIV. According to SciDev.Net, a science publication, improved nutrition cannot substitute medication to treat people infected with HIV. SciDev quoted a report released August 22 by the Academy of Science of Sout
Nabagereka Nagginda Visits HIV Mothers: New Vision (Kampala) - August 30, 2007; Conan Businge; I AM 19 years and was born HIV-positive. I became pregnant and my boyfriend abandoned me after learning that I had Aids, said Annette Kyosiimire, an HIV-positive mother. My mother died of Aids when I was still a child. I never stayed with my father. I m currently staying with my step-father, who is also HIV-positive.
Kaberamaido Locals Struggle for HIV Tests: New Vision (Kampala) - August 29, 2007; John Omoding; HEALTH workers in Kaberamaido district were on Friday overwhelmed by the high turn up of people wanting to take voluntary HIV/Aids tests. Hundreds of residents in long queues struggled to be tested during the exercise carried out by the Population Services International (PSI) Uganda at the launch of the Basic Care
Let's Look Homosexuals in the Eye And Help Them: New Vision (Kampala) - August 29, 2007; Hilary Bainemigisha; SOMEONE said a mixed feeling is when you see your mother-in-law backing off a cliff in your new car. Somehow you may want her to crush to death but still you do not want her to do so in your new car. That is how I feel about those masked Ugandans who wanted us to recognise their presence as men who have sex with men (M
Utl Reaches Out to Children Living With HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - August 29, 2007; Nigel Nassar; Uganda telecom (utl) recently embarked on a mission to help children in northern Uganda who are living with HIV/Aids. Over 150,000 children are living with HIV/Aids, about 20,000 of whom were infected through mother-to-child transmission, As part of its corporate social responsibility, utl s Annual Leadership Series
Aids - Catholic Secretariate Adviser Calls for Behavioural Change: New Vision (Kampala) - August 28, 2007; Conan Businge; BEHAVIOURAL change is the key to the fight against HIV/Aids, the Catholic Secretariat adviser, Ronald Kamara, has said. Campaigns that support the usage of condoms, male circumcision and usage of vaginal microbicides to prevent HIV infections are likely to be counter-productive. We should not embrace all campaigns with
Pastors Rapped for Discouraging ARVs: New Vision (Kampala) - August 27, 2007; Halima Shaban; PASTORS who discourage people living with HIV/Aids from taking ARVs have been criticised by a health expert. I am not happy with pastors who tell our clients that if they get saved, they can be healed of HIV/Aids. Get saved but please do not stop taking your drugs, Peter Sebanja, a director with The Aids Support Organi
Uganda selected for $27m global TB-HIV research: New Vision (Kampala) - August 26, 2007; Denis Ocwich; UGANDA is among five countries selected to participate in a $27m (sh46b) tuberculosis research project. The five-year research, funded by the American National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will bring together an international consortium of physician and research scientists from South Afri
Health minister roots for condom use: New Vision (Kampala) - August 26, 2007; Gladys Kalibbala; PEOPLE must boldly advocate for the use of condoms if the spread of HIV/AIDS is to be contained, the health state minister has said. Dr. Richard Nduhuura said people should not shy away from buying condoms in public. Let us not be shy about AIDS because the disease itself is not shy to get us when we fail to protect ou
HIV: Babies can be tested at 4 weeks: New Vision (Kampala) - August 24, 2007; Conan Businge; MULAGO Hospital and Uganda Virus Institute have acquired new machines that will enable babies as young as one month to be tested for HIV. Previously, babies could only be tested at the age of 18 months. This was revealed by Mildmay Centre director Dr. Emmanuel Luyirika, during a breakfast meeting at Sheraton Hotel, Kam
HIV in Rwanda drops to 3%: New Vision (Kampala) - August 24, 2007; Ampaire Loice; The number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in Rwanda dropped from seven percent in 2004 to three percent today, new statistics have revealed. The Demographic and Health Survey shows that the HIV prevalence is higher among men than women at 3.6% versus 2.3% respectively. It also indicated that 7.3% of urban dwellers ar
Uganda: Mengo's Stab at HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - August 23, 2007; Paul Tentena; Kampala - STANDING Alone features students of Mengo SSS. The film focuses on HIV/Aids and its impact on the community. Stephen (Joseph Mabirizi), the protagonist, heads Save a Life from Aids, a club that lobbies support for people living with HIV/Aids in the school. The club also sensitises students about the dangers o
The globalisation of diseases: New Vision (Kampala) - August 22, 2007; SOME 50 years ago, the disease situation in the world was relatively stable. Concern focused on six main diseases: cholera, plague, fever, smallpox, typhus and yellow fever. Today, new diseases are emerging at the unprecedented rate of one per year, according to the just released World Health Report 2007. Population gr
Uganda: Utl Reaches Out to Children Living With HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - August 22, 2007; Nigel Nassar; UGANDA telecom (utl) recently embarked on a mission to help children in northern Uganda who are living with HIV/Aids. Over 150,000 children are living with HIV/Aids, about 20,000 of whom were infected through mother-to-child transmission. As part of its corporate social responsibility, utl s Annual Leadership Series to
Uganda: Doctors to Attend HIV Summit: New Vision (Kampala) - August 20, 2007; Brenda B. Kamulegeya; Ugandan medical officials will this week participate in the International Aids Conference in Seattle, Washington, in the U.S. The conference, said Dr. Pontiano Kaleebu, the principal investigator at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, started yesterday and runs to Wednesday. It will seek new measures in fighting HIV/A
INTERVIEW: FAQs on Circumcision: New Vision (Kampala) - August 18, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; RECENT research findings that circumcision significantly reduces the risk of HIV infections have rejuvenated hope for many poor people around the world particularly in Africa, where the fight against the scourge has been hampered by financial constraints. Dr. Stephen Watya, a urologist from Mulago Hospital, participate
OPINION: Give Condoms the Right of Way: New Vision (Kampala) - August 17, 2007; Hilary Bainemigisha; THIS world is still breathing because of a few specific things. And I am not talking about Mabira demonstration or pastors. I mean condoms. Not only did they help bring down HIV infection rates from 15% in the 1990s to 5% in 2001, they have consistently returned hope into despair among discordant couples, people living
To Use Or Not to Use a Condom: New Vision (Kampala) - August 17, 2007; Hillary Bainemigisha; CONDOMS are widely recognised as a highly effective method of preventing HIV infection. The Uganda Aids Commission director general, Dr Kihumuro Apuuli, said massive condom distribution played a big part in reducing HIV rates from 15% in the early 1990s to 5% in 200. Knowledge of condoms is almost universal, with almos
Suspected Conman Arrested: New Vision (Kampala) - August 16, 2007; Doreen Musingo; THE Police in Jinja have arrested a man suspected to have conned people living with HIV/Aids of over sh12m. The crime chief, Willy Panuha, identified the suspect as Edward Kafuko, the director of Living with Aids in the Community Organisation. Panuha said the organisation was not registered. Kafuko is suspected to have
OPINION: Put HIV/Aids On the CHOGM Agenda: New Vision (Kampala) - August 15, 2007; Isaac Kyeyune; THE Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) involves more than 50 nations to be represented mostly by heads of state. It is the first time Uganda is hosting the meeting. It is an opportunity for all the visitors to see what they have been hearing about Uganda and its efforts to curb HIV/Aids. It is imperative
OPINION: United Nations Millennium Campaign Director Salil Shetty: New Vision (Kampala) - August 15, 2007; Lillian Mwoneko; PEOPLE living with HIV/Aids under the umbrella of The National Forum of People Living With HIV/Aids Networks in Uganda (Nafophanu) and the Consortium of Advocates for Access to Treatment (CAAT) and their partners have noted with concern the response of the Ministry of Health over the treatment of Aids and provision of
OPINION: ABC Aids Strategy is the Way to Go: New Vision (Kampala) - August 14, 2007; STATISTICS project that in 2010, 100 million people will be HIV-positive globally. As usual, majority of these will be the poor from Africa and Asia. Uganda s success story of reducing HIV prevalence from 30% to 6% will soon be a gone case. We have forgotten where we came from yet uncertain of the future. Uganda s poin
USAID Gives Sh2.7b for HIV Prevention: New Vision (Kampala) - August 12, 2007; Conan Businge; THE U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has donated sh2.7b to the Inter-religious Council of Uganda for HIV/Aids prevention. The council will coordinate the prevention activities for about two million people. The money will be channelled through the Faith-Based Organisations, which will also train 1,270 r
Taking the Aids Fight to Border Posts: New Vision (Kampala) - August 12, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; On average, over 30 trucks park at Katuna on the Uganda- Rwanda border post overnight as they wait for clearance to enter either country THEY say life has no spare part, but it is amazing how reckless some people choose to live, especially in this era of HIV/Aids. At Katuna (Uganda/Rwanda) border post, there is a lot o
Govt Rapped Over Expired Aids Drugs: New Vision (Kampala) - August 11, 2007; Maria Wamala; PEOPLE Living With HIV and Aids (PLWHA) have criticised the health ministry over the expiry of anti-retroviral (ARVs) drugs in the National Medical Stores (NMS) and the consequent shortage of ARVs in the country. Carrying placards which expressed their demand for drugs and a coffin, the members of PLWHA marched around
Microbicide Trial - Women Get Special Treatment: New Vision (Kampala) - August 10, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; WOMEN who got infected while participating in the failed trials of a microbicide gel designed to prevent the transmission of HIV, will receive free treatment. Dr. Olive Sentumbwe, the national professional officer in charge of population and family planning at the World Health Organisation, announced this at the on-goi
EDITORIAL: ABC Strategy is Still Relevant: New Vision (Kampala) - August 7, 2007; Makerere University guild president Susan Abbo has said the use of condoms does not prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. She, therefore, emphasises abstinence and faithfulness as the most effective tools to curb the pandemic. Abbo was addressing students of Kimaanya Blessed Sacrament School in Masaka. She said the nation wa
Stanbic's Bridges of Hope: New Vision (Kampala) - August 7, 2007; STANBIC Bank staff attracted curious onlookers in various Kampala markets when they set up camp to talk about coping with HIV/AIDS. The staff had just completed a Bridges of Hope course in which they learnt about community sensitisation. Some of the markets they went to were Nakawa, Kisugu, Kabalagala and Ggaba landing
Standard Chartered Aids Women With HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - August 7, 2007; Chris Kiwawulo; STANDARD Chartered Bank has donated sh500,000 to women living with HIV/AIDS to help them start income-generating activities. The corporate affairs manager, Herbert Zake, said helping the poor, sick, and the needy, was part of the bank s social responsibility. The bank s officials were visiting Kawempe Positive Women s
Abbo in Anti-Condom Campaign: New Vision (Kampala) - August 5, 2007; Dismus Buregyeya; Condom use does not prevent the spread of HIV/Aids, the Makerere University Guild President, Susan Abbo, has said. Addressing students of Kimaanya Blessed Sacrament School in Masaka Municipality on Wednesday, Abbo noted that condoms are not 100% perfect. She emphasised that abstinence and faithfulness were the most eff
Americans Hold Basketball Clinic: New Vision (Kampala) - August 4, 2007; Paul Mbuga; BASKETBALL coaches from the United States are in Uganda to impart coaching skills and promote the game as a means of positive living by the youth. The initiative - Success By Choice - is championed by Standard Chartered Bank in partnership with Land-O-Lakes and Miles and Associates. It started on Thursday last week
Anti 'sugar daddy' campaign launched: New Vision (Kampala) - August 1, 2007; Carol Natukunda; THE Population Service International yesterday launched a campaign against cross-generational sex, commonly known as the sugar daddy phenomenon. Cross-generational sex means a sexual relationship between a young girl and a much older man, with an age difference of 10 years or more. The campaign was launched in response
OPINION: Sex Education is Important for Youth: New Vision (Kampala) - July 30, 2007; Jacklyn Abongowath; Sexual and reproductive health among young people is a major concern in Uganda where many of them fall victim of circumstances because some parents fear talking about sex and relationships. Even at universities the young people still have little knowledge about their sexuality, which has resulted into unwanted pregnanc
OPINION: HIV Moms - Making the Hard Choice: New Vision (Kampala) - July 30, 2007; EXCLUSIVE breastfeeding - breastfeeding with no other food or drink, not even water - is the ideal mode of infant feeding for the first six months of life. For optimal growth, development and health, infants should be exclusively breastfed for their first six months, and should then receive nutritionally adequate and s
Sh340m HIV/Aids Project Launched: New Vision (Kampala) - July 29, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; THE Energy Institute of Uganda in collaboration with the Family Health International has launched an HIV/Aids project. The project, worth $200,000 (about sh340m) targets communities in the northern transport corridor. The USAID funded Community Voices in Uganda Project , has been piloting in the two border areas of Bus
HIV Microbicide Trial Hits Snag: New Vision (Kampala) - July 26, 2007; Carol Natukunda and Harriette Onyalla; UGANDA S trials of a microbicide gel designed to prevent the transmission of HIV in women have hit a deadlock after research revealed that women who used it got infected with the virus at a higher rate than those who did not utilise it. Microbicides are substances that a woman can apply in her vagina before having sexu
Researchers Stand Out At HIV Conference in Sydney: New Vision (Kampala) - July 24, 2007; Hilary Bainemigisha; HIGHLIGHTS on Day 2 at IAS 2007. Uganda s Apollo Basenero s research on when and how to switch patients from first line to second line Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART), won him the Recherches sur le SIDA (ANRS)/IAS Prize. The prize recognises young researchers, who demonstrate excellence in research related to the scale u
Report Blames Sugar-Daddies for HIV in Girls: New Vision (Kampala) - July 23, 2007; Patrick Jaramogi and Mark Owor; CROSS Generation Sex is a contributing factor to the high HIV prevalence rate among girls, a research has revealed. The research, conducted by the Straight Talk Foundation and PSI in Mukono, Luweero, Wakiso, Masaka and Mpigi district showed that the HIV prevalence among girls aged 15-24 in the country was four times hi
Pupils Get Life Skills to Fight HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - July 22, 2007; Elvis Basudde; A forum has been introduced in several primary schools in Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso districts to sensitise pupils on HIV/Aids. The SAS Winner s Society empowers children with life skills on how to avoid getting HIV/Aids, helping the infected people and coping with the problem. The programme is the brainchild of SAS Fo
Africa: 100 Citizens for HIV Vaccine Trials: New Vision (Kampala) - July 20, 2007; Dismus Buregyeya; A TOTAL of 100 residents of Masaka district will participate in the global HIV vaccine trials. The community liaison officer of the Medical Research Centre, Vincent Basajja, said the trials, code-named Partnership for Aids Vaccine Evaluation, would start this year. He noted that they would be conducted by the U.S-based
Uganda: Education Drafts New School Penalties: New Vision (Kampala) - July 20, 2007; Paul Kiwuuwa; THE education minster has announced that the ministry drafted 100 pages of guidelines to enforce alternative disciplinary measures in schools. Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire said most pupils and students drop out of school due to corporal punishments inflicted on them. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at Parliament
Charity Calls for HIV Education: New Vision (Kampala) - July 19, 2007; Donald Kiirya; THE country director of Student Partnership Worldwide, Robyn Manford, has asked Red Cross members in Jinja to educate the youth about HIV/AIDS. Manford said the more the youth learnt about HIV/AIDS the more they would teach other youth on how to prevent infection, especially because they were vulnerable to it. Speaking
Bukenya Hails NGO for HIV Education in Schools: New Vision (Kampala) - July 17, 2007; Francis Emorut; Samuel Kasinga, the Kyenjojo resident district commissioner , Kironde and Maduuli at the national education conference held at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala THE Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, has hailed the Uganda Program for Human and Holistic Development (UPHOLD) for implementing President Yoweri Museveni s d
Congestion Accelerates Tuberculosis in Camps: New Vision (Kampala) - July 16, 2007; Denis Ocwich; FIVE months since she was started on the tuberculosis (TB) treatment, Regina Anyeko still cannot understand how she caught the pulmonary disease. We have never had any cases of TB in our family. And all along I was a very healthy person, wonders the 50-year-old housewife at Unyama camp for the internally displaced peop
Project to Give Sex Workers Free HIV Care: New Vision (Kampala) - July 16, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; AIDAH, 19, has a two-year-old son whose father she does not know. Many would refer to him as an accident, unwanted, a bustard - but Aidah calls him none of these. She just wishes she could forget the way he was conceived, but he is a constant reminder. Aidah s parents died of HIV/Aids when she was 15 years old, leaving
IDPs Test for HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - July 15, 2007; Chris Ocowun; THOUSANDS of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps and in Gulu town turned up for an open-air voluntary counselling and testing as part of the activities to mark the World Population Day. Mothers, with their babies, attended antenatal services and reproductive health education offered by the Family Planni
Natural Gas Reserves Discovered: New Vision (Kampala) - July 14, 2007; Elizabeth Agiro; THERE is more cause to be happy and worried all at the same time. Oil explorers have unexpectedly discovered natural gas reserves in western Uganda . Happy because there will be power generation as early as next year and hopefully a solution to the erratic loadshedding schedule. Worried, because a select few people mig
Aids Drugs Worth Billions Expire in Stores: New Vision (Kampala) - July 11, 2007; Flavia Nakagwa; Drugs worth sh1.65b are about to expire at the National Medical Stores (NMS), while drugs worth sh1.2b have expired, the acting general manager, Apollo Mwesigye, has revealed. Among the drugs lost were laboratory supplies belonging to the Uganda AIDS Commission and items procured under the Global Fund programme, as wel
Arua HIV Rate High: New Vision (Kampala) - July 8, 2007; Frank Mugabi; The HIV/AIDS infection rate, especially among married couples, in Arua district has increased. The district HIV/AIDS focal officer, Joyce Aciro, told a review meeting in Arua last Tuesday that whereas the youth were changing their sexual behaviour, adults, especially the married couples, were becoming more unfaithful t
HIV - Govt to Focus On Married People: New Vision (Kampala) - July 3, 2007; Fred Ouma; A detailed analysis of the 2004/05 Uganda HIV/Aids Sero-Behaviourial Survey revealed the need to refocus HIV preventive measures to married people. The study - the first ever national survey to capture the actual extent of the HIV/Aids pandemic, was released during the fifth National HIV/Aids Partnership Forum at Speke
Amref Keeps Youth Away From Sex: New Vision (Kampala) - July 3, 2007; Frederick Kiwanuka; AMREF, a local NGO, has launched a sh20m sexual and reproductive health project to control the spread of HIV/Aids among the adolescents in Luweero District. Targeting the youth aged between 10 and 24, the project aims at keeping the youths occupied with youth friendly activities, free HIV/Aids testing, sensitisation an
HIV Prevalence Rate 11.2 Percent in Kasese: New Vision (Kampala) - July 2, 2007; John Nzinjah; AT least 70,000 people in Kasese district are infected with HIV/Aids accounting for 11.2% of the population. This was revealed in a report discussed by the District Aids Committee on Friday. John Thawite, the district information officer, called for immediate action by health officials. These estimates are taken from t
Displaced PWDs Not Returning Home - MP: New Vision (Kampala) - July 2, 2007; Herbert Ssempogo; MANY internally displaced people with disabilities (PWDs) in the North have failed to return to their villages, a legislator has said. Their state cannot enable them return to the homesteads they left almost 20 years ago, the MP for PWDs in the North, William Nokrach, said during a workshop in Kampala. The Government s
Child Labour Reducing Wages - MP: New Vision (Kampala) - June 29, 2007; Sarah Muwanga; THE use of child labour is greatly affecting the wage rates, a Workers MP has stated. Joram Pajobo said use of child workers increased the pool of manpower and lowered rates of payment. He explained that the situation could only improve with a well-enforced ban on child labour. If the ban is effected, the supply for ch
More Ugandans Out of Poverty: New Vision (Kampala) - June 29, 2007; Vision Reporter; The number of people living below the poverty line has fallen to a record low of 31%, according to the State of Uganda Population Report 2007, released this week. Income-poverty headcount fell from 56% in 1992/1993 to 34% in 1999/2000, then rose to 38% in 2003/2004 but declined again to 31% in 2005/2006, the report sa
Free Aids Drugs for Jinja: New Vision (Kampala) - June 28, 2007; Nile Breweries is to provide free Anti-Retroviral drugs to more communities within which it operates, the managing director, Nick Jenkinson, has said. Jenkinson was addressing workers of bars, lodges and restaurants in Mbiko, Mukono, who had undergone training in HIV/Aids awareness. The company has been providing free
Church Leaders Asked to Support Condom Use: New Vision (Kampala) - June 26, 2007; Chris Ahimbisibwe; CHURCH leaders have been asked to appreciate the campaign to promote the use of condoms as a means of controlling the spread of HIV/Aids. The state minister for general duties, Dr. Richard Nduhura, asked the clergy to bear with the issue of condom use because the Government has to ensure that people are healthy. Nduhur
TASO Registers 7,300: New Vision (Kampala) - June 26, 2007; Dennis Ojwee; A TOTAL of 7,300 clients have been registered by the Aids Support Organisation (TASO) in Gulu district. At least 70% of them are female and 30% are male. According to the centre manager, Kimera Mutebi, the majority of their clients are from the most needy families in the camps. Briefing the American ambassador, Steven
Charity Winds Up Mpigi HIV Project: New Vision (Kampala) - June 26, 2007; Grace Agaba; CONCERN Worldwide is winding up its HIV/Aids capacity-building project in Mpigi district in August, leaving beneficiaries worried about the future. Joselyne Bigirwa, the policy and advocacy adviser said: As Concern, we have to change our target area and go to another district after key objectives have been achieved.
OPINION: Married Couples Had Better Start Using Condoms: New Vision (Kampala) - June 26, 2007; Monicah Amoding; According to a report on Consistent Condom Use among Ugandan Couples in Primary Relationships released recently, some married couples are consistently using condoms as opposed to earlier reports that had showed that it was impossible for married people or those in stable relationships to use condoms. This is good news
Healers And Preachers Cautioned On Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - June 24, 2007; Luke Kagiri; Mityana district leaders have been asked to stop traditional healers from deceiving people living with HIV/AIDS that they are bewitched and can be healed. State minister for primary health care Emmanuel Otaala also warned religious leaders against deceiving the people that they can be healed through prayers. Otaala was
Christian Charity Gives 1.5b to HIV Orphans: New Vision (Kampala) - June 22, 2007; Tony Barigye; THE Christian Children s Fund has launched a sh1.5b three-year project for orphans in Kiboga, Wakiso and Masindi districts. Jane Nandawula, the charity s communications manager, said the Irish government is expected to contribute the biggest percentage of the money. The total project sum is 795,590 euros (about sh1.7b)
Defence Urges Soldiers to Go for HIV Tests, Circumcision: New Vision (Kampala) - June 21, 2007; Harriette Onyalla; THE defence ministry has proposed testing all members of the Uganda People s Defence Forces for HIV annually. It is an interesting debate which is still ongoing but we hope it will be resolved soon. We want all soldiers to be counselled and tested for HIV. Every year will be good enough. We also want to add the issue o
Minister Otaala Calls for HIV Testing: New Vision (Kampala) - June 21, 2007; Flavia Nakagwa; PEOPLE should go for HIV testing as a means of fighting the pandemic, the minister of state for primary Healthcare, emmanuel Otaala has said. Otaala said HIV/AIDS was the greatest challenge of this generation, but having the right statistics about infection would play a big role in the fight against it. He was speaking
Increased Domestic Violence Fails Aids Prevention Strategy: New Vision (Kampala) - June 20, 2007; Harriette Onyalla; THE high prevalence of domestic violence in Uganda is preventing the success of the ABC (Abstinence, Be faithful and use Condoms) strategy, which the country is using in HIV prevention. Women activists noted that: ABC is not working for women because of domestic violence. Domestic violence increases women s vulnerabili
Research Centre, Nebbi District Team Up Against HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - June 20, 2007; Patrick Jaramogi; Nebbi district authorities have teamed up with the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) to launch what they described as a protracted war against HIV/AIDS. The research centre, through funding from the President s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), recently opened a multi-million HIV/AIDS clinic at Nebbi Hospita
Experts Plan New HIV Messages: New Vision (Kampala) - June 19, 2007; Fred Ouma; UGANDAN epidemiologists have noted that while the old HIV/AIDS messages had helped reduce infection rates, they are no longer sufficient. Most of the messages were developed in the 1990s. Speaking recently at the fifth National HIV/AIDS Partnership Forum at Speke Resort Munyonyo, the experts concurred that a new genera
Women Ministers Appeal for More Aid: New Vision (Kampala) - June 18, 2007; Joyce Namutebi; CONCERNED that 30 million children are not in primary school and that 60% of HIV/Aids cases globally are in the Commonwealth countries, ministers for women s affairs have asked the heads of government to provide sufficient funds for gender equality. We have requested the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting to prov
Govt to Probe the Illegal Sale of ARVs: New Vision (Kampala) - June 17, 2007; ALLEGATIONS that the rich are buying off ARVs and other drugs meant for free distribution to patients will be investigated, reports Anne Mugisa. Relief and Disaster Preparedness Minister, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere said: We have to investigate the matter. The local leaders should be warned about this. The drugs are suppos
Slovak Charity Aids Kyabakadde Needy Children: New Vision (Kampala) - June 17, 2007; Mathias Mazinga; THE Slovakia Christian Children s Charity, Erko-Dobra-Novina, has started a socio-economic development programme for Aids orphans and vulnerable children in Kyabakadde schools. Justin Mayanja, the coordinator of Kyampisi Rural Development Programme (KRUDEP), said they had received the first installment of sh70m. This w
UN Agency Gives Youth Sh62m to Fight Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - June 16, 2007; Francis Emorut; THE United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has donated office equipment and a vehicle worth sh62m to the Uganda National Youth Network and the Family Planning Association of Uganda for use in HIV/AIDS prevention. Allan Kayanja, the youth network chairman, said the equipment would assist them in sensitising the youth on
Aids Clinic to Open in Owino Market: New Vision (Kampala) - June 15, 2007; Rehema Aanyu; MARKET vendors living with HIV/AIDS in Kampala will not have to walk long distances to get HIV/AIDS counselling and antiretroviral treatment. A clinic to cater for people living with HIV will soon be opened up at St. Balikuddembe Market (Owino market) to provide voluntary counselling and testing and medical services.
Aids Robs Children of Childhood: New Vision (Kampala) - June 15, 2007; Maria Wamala; HIV/AIDS has forced children to grow up fast. As parents or guardians die of AIDS, the older orphaned children especially girls are forced to take up the responsibility of looking after their siblings, says the Secretary General of National Council for Children, Joyce Otim-Nape. Research shows that there are nearly 2.5
Married Women at Higher Risk of HIV: New Vision (Kampala) - June 13, 2007; Joyce Namutebi; While HIV prevalence among young people in Uganda has gone down dramatically, married women remained at high risk of contracting the disease, Mrs. Janet Museveni said yesterday. Addressing hundreds of delegates at the 8th Commonwealth Women affairs Ministers Meeting, the first lady said advocacy efforts, including mult
Uganda: New Antiretroviral Clinic: New Vision (Kampala) - June 12, 2007; UGACOF Limited, in partnership with USAID Business project has, opened up a free antiretroviral treatment clinic for HIV/Aids patients and voluntary counselling and testing for residents of Kira sub-county. At a function to open up the clinic, Richard Nduhura, the state minister for health, who was guest of honour, sai
World Vision Builds Ward in Bundibugyo: New Vision (Kampala) - June 12, 2007; Emmanuel Kajubu; WORLD Vision Uganda has built a maternity ward and a staff house at Karugutu Health Centre, Bundibugyo district. The Bundibugyo LC5 chairman, Jackson Bambalira, last week officially commissioned the 32-bed ward, worth sh139m. The ward also has 16 baby cots and an HIV/AIDS testing and immunisation facility. Bambalir
HIV Workshop for Youth: New Vision (Kampala) - June 12, 2007; The Youth Health Organisation is organising an annual workshop on AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Their chairman, Felix Nsibirwa, said the four-day event will take place at Makerere University St Augustine Students Centre starting from June 27. Workshop co-ordinator, Samuel Kalanzi has called for sponsors.
The Feminisation of Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - June 11, 2007; Women are the strong race, so they say. Indeed, in most countries in the world women on average live longer than men. In Australia , women have a life expectancy of 83 years, as opposed to 78 for men. In the UK too, women can expect to live five years longer than men: 81 versus 76. However, a reverse trend is emerg
Cranes Join Anti-HIV Campaign: New Vision (Kampala) - June 11, 2007; Harriette Onyalla; CRANES players Timothy Batabaire and Geoffrey Massa took time off training last week to tell young people about the dangers of HIV/Aids. The players attended the launch of the Sports, HIV prevention and future leaders grooming programme at The Aids Support Organisation (TASO) headquarters in Mulago hospital, Kampala.
Nsibambi Calls for Unity in Poverty Fight: New Vision (Kampala) - June 11, 2007; Harriette Onyalla; THE Prime Minister, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, has called for strong communication links between the Commonwealth member-states and the civil society to fight poverty. The current challenges we are facing as the Commonwealth can only be addressed effectively through coordinated actions and commitment to work together, Nsib
Japan Gives Rakai Sh183m for Health: New Vision (Kampala) - June 11, 2007; Ali Mambule; THE Japanese government has constructed a health centre and renovated a library and information centre in Kyotera, Rakai district. Commissioning the $101,510 (about sh183m) project on Wednesday, the Japanese ambassador, Ryuzo Kikuchi, said Kyotera Medical Centre, which cost $90,000 (about sh153m) to build would benefit
Government Attacked Over Expired Female Condoms: New Vision (Kampala) - June 10, 2007; Joyce Namutebi; A female professor has attacked the Government over expired female condoms. The condoms expired from the stores, while women were being infected (with HIV/AIDS) everyday. That is a criminal offence, Dr. Margaret Muganwa of the Global Campaign for Microbicides, said during a meeting for the Commonwealth experts at the S
HIV Messages Irk Disabled: New Vision (Kampala) - June 10, 2007; Herbert Ssempogo; PEOPLE with disabilities have complained about the way HIV/AIDS messages are imparted by health service providers. The training is so verbal. Imagine someone demonstrating to blind people how a man is supposed to put on a condom. How are they supposed to understand when they do not see? Alice Nabanja of Blind but Able
Medics Rap Local Healers: New Vision (Kampala) - June 10, 2007; Maria Wamala; COMMONWEALTH medics have blamed traditional healers for frustrating the fight against AIDS, saying they convince people that they can cure AIDS and stop them from going for the right treatment. It is foolish to claim that they can cure HIV/AIDS. As medical workers, we have researched and found out that a virus is a par
Child-Headed Homes Rising: New Vision (Kampala) - June 10, 2007; Flavia Nakagwa; Child-headed homes are on the increase in Uganda , the programme officer Women Alive, Hope Mukisa, has said. She said the districts with the biggest number of child-headed homes were Kampala, Masindi, Iganga, Busia and kabarole. A study conducted in the districts registered over 4,000 orphans and vulnerable children, M
EU Diplomat to Fly Plane for HIV Campaign: New Vision (Kampala) - June 8, 2007; Frank Mugabi; A senior diplomat at the European Union office in Kampala has unveiled an ambitious plan to fly a light aircraft from Entebbe to Brussels. The cross-continent flight in a small plane, the first of its kind, is meant to raise funds for HIV/AIDS victims in Uganda . Remy Noe, the first counsellor at the European Commissio
Miss Midcom Takes to Singing: New Vision (Kampala) - May 31, 2007; Gilbert Mwijuke; THE rose to fame when she won the Miss Midcom Beauty Pageant last year. But Haawa Kagoya, 20, has more than the dazzling looks. Kagoya is now revealing her other side - singing. Last year, Kagoya announced her entry on the local music industry with a gospel song titled Life 4 JC (Life for Jesus Christ). Life 4 JC gets
Punish Corrupt Officials - Envoy: New Vision (Kampala) - May 30, 2007; Herbert Ssempogo and Flavia Nakagwa; OFFICIALS who misappropriate public funds should be prosecuted, the Danish Ambassador to Uganda said at a workshop yesterday. It is very important that action is taken whenever there is strong evidence of corruption, Stig Barlying stated. It hurts and irritates to see that huge funds were misused in this country. Effor
High Income Causing HIV/Aids Spread - Onek: New Vision (Kampala) - May 28, 2007; Joel Ogwang; THE agriculture minister, Hillary Onek, has blamed the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among Uganda s fishing community on the excess daily disposable income. Over three million people are either directly or indirectly employed in the fishing sub-sector. Onek said while the prevalence rate ranged between 6-7% in agricult
The Disabled Tipped On HIV/Aids Prevention: New Vision (Kampala) - May 28, 2007; Bernard Masereka; PERSONS with disabilities have been advised to refrain from thinking that they cannot contract HIV/AIDS. The Kasese deputy speaker, Naome Mbambu, said most disabled people have ignored the preventive measures. Mbambu, who was addressing disabled women at Moonlight Hotel in Kasese town on Thursday, advised them not to c
Nile Breweries Trains Farmers on HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - May 23, 2007; James Odomel; NILE Breweries has completed training 200 sorghum farmers as HIV/Aids peer educators. The trainees were selected from 15 core epuripursorghum growing areas in the western, northern and eastern regions. Nile Breweries uses epuripur variety of sorghum to make Eagle Lager and Eagle Extra beer brands. The brands are popula
KCC Gets Sh2.8b for HIV/Aids Fight: New Vision (Kampala) - May 23, 2007; Grace Agaba; Kampala City Council (KCC) has received a $1.7m donation (sh2.8b) for the control of HIV/Aids, writes Grace Agaba. KCC health planner Dr. Timothy Musila said the donation was from the U.S. President s Emmergency Plan For Aids Relief through the Infectious Disease Institute of Makerere University. During a sensitisation
'132,500 Get HIV Annually': New Vision (Kampala) - May 23, 2007; A TOTAL of 132,500 Ugandans get infected with HIV/AIDS every year, the state minister for health, Richard Nduhuura, has said. Forty-two percent of these are occurring within married couples and this is attributed to the increasing extra marital sex, he said. He said the Government had made significant progress in fight
'Put Condoms in Public Places' - Minister: New Vision (Kampala) - May 21, 2007; Gladys Kalibbala; THE Minister of state for Health Primary Care, Dr. Emmanuel Otaala, has called for distribution of more condoms in public places to curb the spread of HIV/Aids. As we renew our commitment to support HIV vaccine research, let s try to save people s lives who cannot abstain by making condoms available in all public place
ANALYSIS: HIV-Positive Children - Who is to Blame?: New Vision (Kampala) - May 20, 2007; Nigel Nassar; CHILDREN infected with HIV are asking a critical, yet incriminating question. Who is to blame for our status? And the adults, though with the answer, cannot bring themselves to saying it. There is an air of apprehension with which they receive the query, ultimately staying gagged, yet traumatised from seeing the childr
Uganda: Minister Atubo Tips IDPs On HIV/Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - May 20, 2007; Hudson Olwa; LANDS and Housing minister has cautioned the internally displaced people returning home from the camps to guard against contracting HIV/AIDS. Omara Atubo, who was passing out peer educators last Saturday, lamented that the HIV prevalence rates in the north were very high. A lot of effort is being made by the Government
Rubaga Division to Empower Youth Through Carpentry: New Vision (Kampala) - May 16, 2007; Moses Mulondo; RUBAGA division is planning to set up a furniture project to economically empower residents. The project aims at equipping residents with carpentry skills, providing them with initial capital by pulling resources and looking for market. In an interview recently, the division Mayor, Winnie Makumbi, said the project will
Hope for Aids Vaccine Soon: New Vision (Kampala) - May 15, 2007; Aisha Ahmad; AS we approach the World AIDS Vaccine Awareness Day set for Friday, May 18, two new vaccine candidates have been identified globally as the most likely and possible saviours after two decades of futile research. Dr Pontiano Kaleebu, the Principal Investigator at the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), says th
HIV Increases Five-Fold in Karamoja: New Vision (Kampala) - May 15, 2007; Alexis Okeowo; THE HIV rate is increasing dramatically in Karamoja and a group of women activists in Moroto district is trying to stop the upward spiral. The Karimojong managed to avoid the spread of HIV experienced by the rest of the country in the 1980s and 1990s, but that is no longer the case. According to Dr. Vincent Owiny, the
Sensitise Youth On Aids, Scouts Urged: New Vision (Kampala) - May 15, 2007; Caleb Bahikaho; SCOUTS are the right carders to sensitise the youth on the HIV/AIDS scourge, the Rukungiri district secretary for social services, Emmy Ngabirano, has said. Speaking at the closure of a workshop for scouts leaders on Saturday, Ngabirano disagreed with their resolution that they should encourage circumcision as the way
INTERVIEW: Here to Serve: New Vision (Kampala) - May 12, 2007; Elizabeth Namazzi; Dr Bernard Okongo is the director of Uganda Cares and the managing director of the AIDS Health Care Foundation. He told Elizabeth Namazzi about his turning point and why he is unmarried at 37. Tell us about your childhood I was born in 1970 in a village called Mella in Tororo District. While in primary school, I didn t
Govt Gets Sh26b for HIV/Aids Activities: New Vision (Kampala) - May 12, 2007; Herbert Ssempogo; A TOTAL of $16m (over sh26b) has been raised by Ireland , Britain, Denmark and the US to fund HIV/AIDS activities in Uganda . The money is part of a new arrangement under which the four countries plan to a
Mulago Hospital Opens HIV Clinic: New Vision (Kampala) - May 11, 2007; Rehema Aanyu; MULAGO Hospital on Friday launched a satellite Immune Suppressive Syndrome (ISS) clinic for the treatment and diagnosis of HIV/ AIDS. The clinic that cost over sh700m, will provide healthcare to people living with HIV/AIDS. It was constructed with a grant from the US President s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Research Centre Gives Free Arvs to Nebbi: New Vision (Kampala) - May 10, 2007; Patrick Jaramogi; RESIDENTS of Nebbi district are receiving free anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) donated by the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and the American government. The energy state minister and Okoro Member of Parliament, Simon D Ujanga, who commissioned the 56th HIV/AIDS treatment centre on Saturday, told the residents to g
OPINION: Controlling Mother to Child HIV Transmission: New Vision (Kampala) - May 7, 2007; William Salmond; AT the Elizabeth Glaser AIDS Pediatric Foundation, our primary concern is prevention of mother to child (PMTCT) transmission of HIV/AIDS. When I was last here in the 1980s and 1990s, 25% of the women who went to antenatal clinics were HIV positive. Recently we were in Mulago Hospital with the Foundation s President, Pa
Rotarians Counsel Kamuli Students: New Vision (Kampala) - May 6, 2007; Ronald Kalyango; MEMBERS of the Rotary clubs of Kololo and Mengo recently counselled students of Kidera Secondary School in Kamuli on how to avoid contracting HIV/Aids, smoking and taking alcohol while still in school. Rotarians visit Kidera sub-county to offer free treatment of opportunistic diseases every year. They conducted a couns
Taking Care of Orphans: New Vision (Kampala) - May 5, 2007; Joel Ogwang; YOU are the only personwho can look after my daughter, a woman who was on her deathbed told Agnes Nambuya. Then she stared at Nambuya and took her last breath. When the woman was buried, Nambuya s relatives and friends discouraged her from adopting the child. They told me not to adopt the girl because she would infect
High Maternal Death Points to a Health Crisis: New Vision (Kampala) - May 3, 2007; One woman dies every minute during pregnancy or childbirth, adding up to more than 500,000 dead women each year. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. For every woman who dies, there are 20 to 30 others who survive childbirth but suffer debilitating injuries. If we are serious about providing health security to wome
Uganda: HIV/Aids Drugs Law in Offing: New Vision (Kampala) - May 2, 2007; Reuben Olita; DISCRIMINATION against the poor in accessing free HIV/AIDS drugs will cease with the enactment of a law enabling all patients access the drugs, said the Bugabula North MP, Gerald Menhya. He warned that the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate was increasing in Uganda after stagnating at 6% for five years. Menhya added that only 2%
Women Initiate Condom Use - Study: New Vision (Kampala) - May 1, 2007; Harriette Onyalla; EASY access to condoms and a supportive environment might increase their use among married couples and those in stable relationships, a study done by Makerere University has shown. Done in collaboration with Nairobi University and Family Health International, the research among 39 couples in Kampala, showed that it is
Bugiri Offers Condoms in Toilets: New Vision (Kampala) - May 1, 2007; Moses Nampala; CONDOMS will be placed in public toilets in Bugiri district to encourage them to have protected sex, health state minister Richard Nduhura has said. Someone would just sneak in a nearby latrine, get himself a pack, put it in his pocket and walk out quietly. Visiting Sigulu Health Centre last week, Nduhura regretted tha
Condom Use Set to Go Up: New Vision (Kampala) - April 28, 2007; Harriette Onyalla; EASY access to condoms and a supportive environment might increase condom use among married couples and those in stable relationships. A study among 39 couples by Makerere University, University of Nairobi and Family Health International using questionnaires and focus-group discussions showed that women initiated condo
Museveni Hails Dr. Bulamu: New Vision (Kampala) - April 24, 2007; Samuel Balagadde; PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has hailed the late Dr. Richard Bulamu for his efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Bulamu, a former MP for Luuka county in Iganga district, died on Wednesday after a short illness. In a message read by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, during a funeral service in Kiyunga, th
Rape law amended: New Vision (Kampala) - April 19, 2007; Cyprian Musoke and Joyce Namutebi; MPs have amended the rape and defilement law making it mandatory for offenders suspected of being HIV positive to undergo medical tests. Suspects found guilty of infecting their victims with HIV/AIDS will be liable to a death sentence. The new laws differentiate between aggravated and mild rape, with victims under 14 y
Uganda: Youth Living With HIV Prefer Negative Partners: New Vision (Kampala) - April 17, 2007; Hilary Bainemigisha, Kampala; YOUNG people living with HIV prefer to date partners of a negative sero status. This was revealed in a study among adolescents living with HIV at the Paediatric Infectious Diseases Clinic (PIDC) in Mulago. Presenting the adolescent sexuality study, Dr Sabrina Bakeera-Kitaka, the head of adolescent programmes at PIDC, s
Face HIV with Dr. Watiti: New Vision (Kampala) - April 17, 2007; Why does he dodge HIV sensitisation sessions? DEAR Doctor, I am a teacher in charge of HIV/AIDS affairs in my school. We hold HIV/AIDS sensitisation sessions fortnightly every Friday morning. I have noticed that there is one particular child who is always absent from these sessions. He either comes late when the sessio
New health show on UBC TV: New Vision (Kampala) - April 17, 2007; Harriet Birungi; AS a way of ensuring that people adopt good health practices to prevent and treat illness and save money, AFFORD, a USAID-funded health marketing initiative launched a good life game show on April 4 at Ndere Centre. The show, that started showing on UBC starting April 16, is aimed at educating Ugandans on health, but i
Health briefs: New Vision (Kampala) - April 17, 2007; HIV rate worrying LUWEERO - The district director of health services, Dr. Joseph Okware, has said surveillance data from 19 sites of voluntary counselling and testing reveals that out of 100 people who are tested voluntarily, 18% are found to be HIV-positive. While launching the project, Expanding the Role of Networks
HIV/AIDS care centre opens in Luweero: New Vision (Kampala) - April 17, 2007; Frederick Kiwanuka; THE Kasana-Luweero Catholic Diocese has opened a sh228m centre for offering antiretroviral therapy and palliative care for people living with HIV/AIDS in Luweero, Nakasongola and Nakaseke districts. Namaliga Health Centre near Bombo town, provides HIV/AIDS sensitisation, testing, counselling, spiritual support, home ba
Condom vending machines launched: New Vision (Kampala) - April 16, 2007; James Odong; THE struggle against the spread of HIV/AIDS got a boost on Friday with a UK-based foundation launching condom and sanitary towel vending machines. Eleanor Mwanje of One World Foundation told journalists that the innovation would enable individuals access the condoms and towels in private and convenient places. Research
Charity gives sh1b to Kasese HIV projects: New Vision (Kampala) - April 11, 2007; John B. Thawite; SAVE the Children Uganda will donate 3,640,958 Danish Kroner, (about sh1b) to combat HIV/AIDS among children in Kasese district over the next three years. The adviser, Edmond Kertho, on Wednesday said the money would cater for prevention, care, support and treatment of children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS. He
Disease knows no borders: New Vision (Kampala) - April 11, 2007; THE fact that the prevalence of HIV has gone up five-fold in Karamoja from 0.4% to 2% is sad but not surprising. For a long time Karamoja has been closed to the rest of the country. Unfortunately Karamoja s borders can no longer remain impermeable to development and the subsequent evils, including disease. Karamoja may
Uganda: HIV Prevalence High Among Karimojong: New Vision (Kampala) - April 10, 2007; MOROTO, Tuesday, The people of Karamoja managed to avoid the onslaught of HIV experienced by the rest of the country in the 1980s and 1990s. But just as the government is bringing the national epidemic under control, HIV rates in karamoja are spiralling upwards. Ten years ago, the prevalence was 0.4% and now it is 2% -
Uganda: Panafrican Body Offers Free Acupuncture Training: New Vision (Kampala) - April 10, 2007; Jackie Nake; AN expert acupuncturist, Nick Phillips is expected in the country on April 20, to train local health-care workers basic acupuncture techniques. The sponsored training will last two weeks and be based at Ibanda Hospital in Ibanda district. Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating needles into acupuncture
Uganda: I Raised His Children, But He Kicked Me Out: New Vision (Kampala) - April 7, 2007; Jane Namuli; I saw my sister Sarah Nantongo shrink from 80kg to a little sack of bones. But nine months after her burial I accepted when her husband dropped on his knees to ask for my love. At first he asked me to come and look after their children who were still very young. We lived together for nine months before he started whisp
Uganda: ARVs to Last a Month - Otaala: New Vision (Kampala) - April 6, 2007; Apollo Mubiru; THE anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) in stock can last for a month, the state minister for primary healthcare has said. Dr. Emmanuel Otaala explained that whereas the Global Fund in Geneva had released $15m (about sh26b) for ARVs, the stock had not arrived due to new procurement guidelines. Unlike in the past where the Gov
Uganda: Parliament Wants Defilers Tested for HIV: New Vision (Kampala) - April 5, 2007; Joyce Namutebi and Milton Olupot; MPs want defilement cases to be heard in camera and defilers be tested for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. While debating amendments to the Penal Code on Wednesday, they said the closed sessions would protect the children against further embarrassment and humiliation. The argument that defilers be tested arose f
Uganda: Minister Urges On HIV Tests: New Vision (Kampala) - April 5, 2007; Doreen Musingo; THE health minister, Richard Nduhura, has urged health workers to carry out routine HIV/AIDS testing among themselves. He was addressing medical officers at the Jinja Referral Hospital on Wednesday. Banks giving loans to people on the Bonna Bagagawaale (Prosperity for All) programme should first encourage their clients
Uganda: HIV Negative After Five Positive Results: New Vision (Kampala) - April 3, 2007; Elvis Basudde, Kampala; NOBODY can test HIV-negative after a positive credible test has been done, says Dr Francis Ssali, a physician at Joint Clinic Research Centre (JCRC). But 16-year-old, Ruth Nakalembe, seems to be exceptional. After testing positive five different times, Nakalembe recently tested negative after two confirmatory tests at
HIV positive: Is your food safe?: New Vision (Kampala) - April 3, 2007; Grace Canada; DO you realise that, one of the most important aspects of HIV/AIDS management is keeping your food and water safe from harmful germs that cause food poisoning? Germs such as bacteria, parasites and viruses cause stomach and intestinal infections. For most people, the effects of food poisoning pass within a few hours. B
Govt plans countrywide circumcision: New Vision (Kampala) - April 3, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; GOVERNMENT is to embark on a vigorous training programme of medical personnel to implement countrywide male circumcision as an HIV/AIDS preventive method, said Dr. Sam Zaramba the Director of Health Services in the Ministry of Health. UN health agencies last Wednesday endorsed male circumcision in the panoply of arms t
Are ARVs stunting my son?: New Vision (Kampala) - April 3, 2007; Dear Doctor, My son, who started on ARVs at about 11 years with a CD4 count of 30 cells only, is seemingly not growing. His age mates of 15 years are much bigger and I am worried that he may never grow into an adult of normal stature. Is there anything I can do to help him now? Maria Dear Maria, From what you describe,
Uganda: East African Experts Back Circumcision: New Vision (Kampala) - April 1, 2007; Milton Olupot; East African health and science experts have recommended that male circumcision be encouraged because it is effective in preventing HIV infection. Male circumcision has been found to be protective against HIV and other genital urinary infections and should be encouraged, the first East African Health and Scientific Con
HIV/AIDS orphans have given grandmothers the challenge of full time parenthood: New Vision (Kampala) - April 1, 2007; Moses Nampala in Jinja; A high-pitched cry of an infant could be heard from somewhere in the home in Buwaiswa village, in Kamuli district. The home constitutes two huts and a makeshift reception hall. Skolastica Namuwaya, 75, emerges from one of the huts. Her face is contorted and the shadows around her eyes give her a lost look. The incessan
Envoy hails Nile Breweries HIV policy: New Vision (Kampala) - April 1, 2007; George Bita; The Nile Breweries HIV/AIDS policy has impressed the American Ambassador. Steven Browning said it was commendable to have voluntary counselling and testing for the company s 325 workers. The ambassador was recently touring American-funded HIV/AIDS projects at Nile Breweries in Njeru, near Jinja town. Nile Breweries get
Door to door AIDS campaign starts: New Vision (Kampala) - April 1, 2007; Caleb Bahikaho; THE Rukungiri branch of The Aids Support Organisation has launched a house-to- house distribution of anti-retroviral drugs. The branch manager, Abel Asiimwe, said the campaign was the first of its kind in the country and would later be implemented in Soroti district. He said the initiative aims at reducing the transpor
Journalists scoop children rights' awards: New Vision (Kampala) - April 1, 2007; Anne Mugisa; Two journalists have scooped awards for covering the plight of children with HIV/AIDS. The Tunza Watoto wa Africa Journalism Award was given by the African Network for Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect. Each of the journalists got sh1m at a dinner held for the children rights conference particip
Uganda: Use Culture to Fight HIV, Nagginda Advises: New Vision (Kampala) - March 31, 2007; Anne Mugisa and Juliet Waiswa; LADY Sylvia Nagginda, the queen of Buganda, has urged the Government and other stakeholders to utilise cultural institutions to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and child abuse. Nagginda said rejection of cultural values and virtues was one of the reasons that HIV/AIDS is spreading. She asserted that cultural values, like
Boys Ignore Sex Education: New Vision (Kampala) - March 27, 2007; Irene Nabusoba, Kampala; While appraising Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) messages, condoms, confidence with abstinence and negotiating condom use were found to be the most significant lessons learnt from the African Youth Alliance (AYA) programme. It was also found that behaviour change was more significant with the girls than th
I sacked my maid because she was HIV-positive: New Vision (Kampala) - March 27, 2007; Dear Doctor, I recently got a housegirl, but when I took her for a medical check-up including HIV testing, she tested positive. I sent her away, but now I feel guilty because I did not tell her that I was testing her for HIV. Did I do wrong? She was a nice girl. Morine.K Dear Morine, First of all, it may be a good idea
Face HIV With Dr. Watiti: New Vision (Kampala) - March 27, 2007; My dad s eyes turned yellow Dear Doctor, My father started on ARVs called triomune two weeks ago and has developed yellow eyes, though he feels alright. His doctor advised him to go back for review and to collect a new supply of drugs after four weeks, but we are concerned about his yellow eyes. What could be the cause
Swiss charity gives sh644m to Rakai orphans: New Vision (Kampala) - March 27, 2007; Ayiga Ondoga; CHILDREN orphaned by AIDS in Rakai district have received over sh644m to support them for three years. The offer was made by Co-operaid, a Swiss charity and will be implemented by Rakai AIDS Orphans Project and Reach the Child Uganda . Rao Satapati, the director of Co-operaid, said the project was the last his organisa
Kabale district begins new AIDS plan: New Vision (Kampala) - March 25, 2007; Darious Magara; THE Kabale branch of the AIDS Information Centre and its partners have launched a new strategy to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission. The programme, moonlight voluntary counseling and testing services, is carried out at night and targets truck drivers and sex workers. It kicked off on Wednesday night at Katuna parking yard
Uganda has 80,000 new TB cases yearly: New Vision (Kampala) - March 25, 2007; Joyce Namutebi; WITH an estimated 80,000 new cases of tuberculosis occurring in Uganda annually, the World Health Organisation has asked the Ministry of Health to declare it a national emergency. The organisation s representative in Uganda, Dr. George Melville, expressed concern that Uganda continues to lag behind in meeting the globa
80,000 infected with TB every year: New Vision (Kampala) - March 20, 2007; ONE person with active tuberculosis (TB) infects, on average, 10 to 15 people every year. According to the National TB and Leprosy Programme studies, 80,000 new infections are expected each year. If these people are not treated, they will have infected at least 800,000 others by the end of the year. Dr H. Joseph Kawuma
Face HIV with Dr. Watiti: New Vision (Kampala) - March 20, 2007; I need a partner Dear Doctor, I am HIV-positive but fairly stable on ARVs for three years now. However, my biggest challenge is loneliness. I lost my husband over five years ago and though I have got over the loss, I feel I need someone. I need a man who is HIV-positive, with whom I can relate and share my life with. A
AON unveils AIDS policy: New Vision (Kampala) - March 19, 2007; Charles Bwogi; AON Uganda has developed an insurance policy for wealthy and productive people living with HIV/AIDS. Recent research showed that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is highest among wealthy Ugandans and high-level employees. The policy is called Enhanced Medical Cover. AON is an insurance broker. These people are the pilla
Twelve-year-old American builds classroom for Mukono school: New Vision (Kampala) - March 18, 2007; Joel Ogwang; A 12-YEAR-OLD American evangelist has constructed a sh23m four-classroom block at Nakoosi Primary School in Mukono district. David van der Meer said he solicited the funds by holding charity walks and asked for contributions from relatives and friends. I visited the school in 2006 and found there were only three grass-
Umeme unveils corporate AIDS policy: New Vision (Kampala) - March 18, 2007; Fred Ouma; THE national power distributor, Umeme, on Friday launched a policy on HIV/AIDS at the workplace. According to the company s manifesto, the policy will enable the firm to minimise, monitor and manage the effects of HIV/AIDS. Victimisation, discrimination or segregation of any person based on HIV/AIDS status will not be
Male circumcision hits snag with new research: New Vision (Kampala) - March 13, 2007; Jackie Nake; MALE circumcision is still raising dust for HIV activists, researchers and policy makers. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNAIDS called a meeting last week in Montreux, Switzerland , to give guidance on the way forward, as far as mass male circumcision is concerned. This was in the wake of the 2006 groundbr
HIV infection rates stabilise: New Vision (Kampala) - March 13, 2007; Fred Ouma; THE incidence of new HIV infections appears to have stabilised for the first time in more than two and a half decades, statistics from the Ministry of Health show. Uganda s highest recorded prevalence was 18.5% in 1992, and 30.5% among pregnant women, especially in urban areas. These have both fallen to 6.4%, though th
Kinyara opens HIV community centre: New Vision (Kampala) - March 13, 2007; Halima Shaban; KINYARA Sugar Works has received accreditation to carry out anti- retroviral therapy. It also launched a community-based HIV/AIDS voluntary and counselling intitiative, the centre s medical officer, Dr Charles Mukisa, said. Speaking at the launch of the programme early this month at Kabango grounds in Masindi, Mukisa s
Facing HIV-AIDS With Dr. Watiti: New Vision (Kampala) - March 13, 2007; I m tired of pushing Dear Doctor, My 15-year-old son, who is HIV positive and has been on ARVS for three years, has never stabilised and got used to his drugs. Every effort has been made to explain to him but he tends to take them consistently one week, only to discover that the next week he is defaulting. I feel he ha
Facing HIV-AIDS With Dr. Watiti: New Vision (Kampala) - March 13, 2007; Was I wrong to tell her teacher? Dear Doctor, I have been having difficulty with my niece of 12 years. She is HIV positive and her adherence to ARVs continues to be quite poor. I thought I should let the class teacher (who likes her so much) know what the problem is with the child and the challenge I am facing. Wit
Government gets new HIV donors: New Vision (Kampala) - March 13, 2007; Mary Karugaba; THE Government is to start a new fund, separate from the Global Fund, to finance activities related to HIV/AIDS. The Director of the Uganda Aids Commission, Kihumuro Apuuli, told MPs yesterday that the new fund, called HIV Basket Fund, starts in June. This is a relief now that the Global Fund money has been cut. Donors
Katakwi: Patients in agony as TASO stops outreach services: New Vision (Kampala) - March 11, 2007; Alice Emasu; IF it were not for The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Ary Auma would probably not have known her sero status. She was among the first patients of TASO, when the organisation extended its services to Katakwi district in 2003. The services included outreach programmes. Auma grieves how Constantine Ochaka, her husband
HIV prevalence highest among adults: New Vision (Kampala) - March 11, 2007; Fred Ouma; THE HIV epidemic is now concentrated among adults, the Ministry of Health has said, calling for a re-focus of the prevention message. The ministry s statistics show that the average age of a person with HIV is now 35 up from 22 years in 1988. The 2004/05 HIV/AIDS survey which tested 30,000 people aged between 15 and 59
Drama good for AIDS fight: New Vision (Kampala) - March 11, 2007; TORORO - Drama is the best way to boost awareness about the HIV/AIDS scourge in rural areas, according to the Kwar Adhola paramount chief, Moses Owori. He explained: Drama conveys the message better than class education. People get to see and reflect on how the virus is spread. Owori made the remarks on Thursday after
Uganda: 40 Million Engabu Condoms Unutilised: New Vision (Kampala) - March 9, 2007; Fred Ouma, Kampala; A total of 40 million condoms of the Engabu brand at the National Medical Stores could go to waste as their demand is dwindling, the Ministry of Health, has said. The figure is a half of at least 80 million condoms required annually in the country. Vastha Kibirige, the national coordinator in charge of condoms at the h
OPINION: Gambia: The African President Who Claims to Cure Aids: New Vision (Kampala) - March 8, 2007; Hilary Bainemigisha, Kampala; What is happening in The Gambia deserves mentioning here because it can very much easily occur in any African country where the leader has absolute power and all other departments fear to cross his path. In January, President Yaya Jammeh, 41, announced that he had been sent by God - this God who loves African State Hou
Uganda: Global Fund Clears Uganda's Plan: New Vision (Kampala) - March 8, 2007; Herbert Ssempogo, Kampala; THE Global Fund Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland , has accepted Uganda s proposal on how funds to fight HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis will be managed. The health state minister, Emmanuel Otaala, announced that under the new arrangement, the money would be included in the national budget. Otaala was speaking at the la
Uganda: Nation Risks Losing Aids War: New Vision (Kampala) - March 8, 2007; Fred Ouma, Kampala; Ugandans risk losing the battle against HIV/AIDS unless deliberate and simultaneous efforts are renewed to promote abstinence, faithfulness and consistent condom use, the Ministry of Health has warned. The National Condom Coordinator at the ministry, Vastha Kibirige, said there is need for a balanced approach to reduce
Face HIV with Dr. Watiti: New Vision (Kampala) - March 6, 2007; My drug is out of stock Dear Doctor, I am HIV-positive and on free anti-retroviral therapy. I have been taking triomune 40 because I weigh 84kgs, which is above 60kgs recommended for this drug. However, recently I was put on triomune 30 for three months because they said triomune 40 was out of stock. My worry is, won t
Anti-AIDS group gets health centre: New Vision (Kampala) - March 6, 2007; Charles Kakamwa; A clinic to treat sexually transmitted infections has been built for Hukeseho Women s HIV/AIDS Project, in Bugiri district. The sh179m centre funded by an NGO, Goal Uganda , in Rwangosia village, Buyinja sub-county, has a solar power system, an incinerator and rain water harvesting equipment. Commissioning the heal
FACE HIV with Dr. Watitit: New Vision (Kampala) - February 27, 2007; My legs pain at night. What is the cause? Dear Doctor, I am on anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) and take one tablet of nifedipine in the morning because I have high blood pressure. At lunch hour, I take mineral supplements, but I have severe pain in my legs at night and find it difficult to sleep. During the day, it is not
Free Dental Treatment for HIV-Positive Children: New Vision (Kampala) - February 27, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; CHILDREN living with HIV/AIDS have a chance to receive free comprehensive dental treatment, courtesy of a visiting 29-member paediatric dental team from the US. The team, which has just wound up an exercise in Tororo, where they treated over 200 children, is now being hosted by Mildmay Centre, Entebbe Road. They treat
AIDS orphans get donation: New Vision (Kampala) - February 25, 2007; Samuel Balagadde; CHILDREN whose parents died of HIV/AIDS have received scholastic materials. The over 400 pupils from different schools last week turned up at Orphans and Widows of AIDS Uganda (OWAU) offices to receive the donation. OWAU is a local NGO operating in Katwe, a city suburb. While handing over the materials, OWAU executive
Uganda: Punish Those Who Spread HIV - M7: New Vision (Kampala) - February 23, 2007; Anne Mugisa; President Yoweri Museveni wants a strong law to punish people who intentionally spread HIV, and another law to sanction perpetrators of child trafficking and prostitution. People who knowingly spread HIV are murderers, who need deterrent measures, the President said on Friday. Asked about the death penalty, Museveni sa
Ugandans now live longer: New Vision (Kampala) - February 22, 2007; Flavia Nakagwa; Ugandans now live longer than before. Life expectancy for women has risen to 50 years and for men to 48 years. That is up from 43 years in 1995, according to the latest government statistics. The improvement shows that government policies and programmes were making a difference in people s lives, said state minister fo
Partners in Population and Development - A South - South initiative: New Vision (Kampala) - February 22, 2007; What is Partners in Population and Development? Partners in Population and Development (PPD) is an inter-governmental alliance of 21 developing countries with a mission to expand and improve South-South collaboration in the fields of reproductive health population and developments through Governmental, Non-Governmental
Uganda: HIV Vaccine a Decade Away: New Vision (Kampala) - February 20, 2007; A successful HIV vaccine is at least a decade away, the International Aids Vaccine Initiative for Southern Africa (IAVI) said recently. A vaccine is at least a decade away. In the event of the Merck vaccine hitting the bar, it will happen earlier, said Dr Wayne Koff, senior vice-president of the IAVI, in Johannesburg,
Uganda: Government Starts Talks On Circumcision: New Vision (Kampala) - February 20, 2007; Irene Nabusoba; THE Ministry of Health has started talking to stakeholders as one of the procedures for drafting a policy on circumcision. This followed a survey on circumcision in Rakai district recently which recommended that developing countries should widely adopt male circumcision as an HIV prevention method. The studies, under t
Face HIV with Dr. Watiti: New Vision (Kampala) - February 20, 2007; I am allergic to septrin Dear Doctor, I am HIV-positive with a CD4 above 200. I am supposed to take septrin daily, but because I am allergic to it, I was advised to take dapsone tablets. I have reacted to them as well. I have stopped taking them and I am much better. I am worried even though I am in a good condition at
Birth control pills could heighten hiv risk - report: New Vision (Kampala) - February 19, 2007; Carol Natukunda; SARA is a tall, slender woman with striking features and a warm smile. But you will not believe her story when she sits down to narrate it to you. Sara is HIV positive - infected because of her own complacency. When I started taking pills two years ago, I was only worried about getting pregnant. I started going in for
Shared lives: A tale about AIDS: New Vision (Kampala) - February 15, 2007; Stephen Ssenkaaba; FOR a novel serialised in four parts, Shared Lives is fast reading. And this is not because it is a particularly gripping read. It is more because this novel is about us. Fiction as it might be, the novel tackles a real and important subject of our times- HIV/AIDS. �Shared lives� is the latest work by Dr. Laban Erapu,
9% of blood collected is destroyed: New Vision (Kampala) - February 14, 2007; Chris Kiwawulo; THE Uganda Blood Donor Transfusion Services destroys 900 units of blood i