2008

Uganda: President Bush Lauds MP
New Vision (Kampala) - December 30, 2008
Chris Ahimbisibwe
Kampala - THE US President, George W. Bush, has recognised the chairperson of the parliamentary committee on HIV/AIDS for his role in helping the less fortunate. In a November 20 letter, Bush said Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, who is also Sheema North MP, is commitment to helping HIV/AIDS patients. He said he enjoyed seeing a


Uganda: Disabled Warned Against HIV/Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - December 21, 2008
Chris Ahimbisibwe
Kampala - People with disabilities (PWDs) have been urged to desist from activities which can expose them to diseases, especially HIV/AIDS. The call was recently made by Bushenyi district vice-chairperson Enid Rubegyemera while handing over 132 wheelchairs to people with disabilities at Bushenyi health centre III.


Uganda: Slum Residents Embrace Aids Tests
New Vision (Kampala) - December 17, 2008
Samuel Balagadde
Kampala - Over 500 residents from the slums of Soweto, Kanyogoga and Wabigalo in Namuwongo were recently counselled and tested for HIV by Meeting Point, a local non-government organisation. Nowelina Namukisa, the executive director of Meeting Point, said the project was sponsored by the US Agency for International Deve


Uganda: Implications of Laws On HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - December 14, 2008
Frederick Womakuyu
Kampala - UGANDA is looking at criminalising HIV infections to curb transmission. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the vice-chairperson of the Parliament s HIV/AIDS committee, says the national prevalence rate has stagnated at 6.4%. He was presenting a paper at a workshop on HIV legislation at Speke Hotel, Kampala, recently. We


Uganda: Spreading Aids Could Be a Crime
New Vision (Kampala) - December 14, 2008
Frederick Womakuyu
Kampala - Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the vice-chairperson of Parliament s HIV/AIDS committee, was presenting a paper last Wednesday at Speke Hotel, Kampala, and noted that each year, the cases of HIV/AIDS were increasing while the national prevalence rate had stagnated at 6.4%. We need another way of combating the disease.


Uganda: Study Links ARVs To Diabetes
New Vision (Kampala) - December 14, 2008
Conan Businge
Kampala - IT IS a silent disease. Little is said about it, but, according to the World Daibetes Foundation, every 10 seconds it claims a life worldwide. Diabetes, according to medical reports, will increase by 93% by 2010 in Africa. Figures from the diabetes foundation indicate that the disease is increasing, especiall


Uganda: HIV Transmission - Will Criminalising It Curb the Spread?
New Vision (Kampala) - December 14, 2008
Fred Ouma
Kampala - FREDA Nabonwe, 31, left her husband after years of abuse. When he found her, he raped her; an act that is ignored in Uganda when it occurs within a marriage. Nabonwe later tested HIV-positive and discovered that at the time of rape, her husband knew he was infected. When she confronted him about it, he said t


Uganda: Behaviour Change Can Control HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - December 14, 2008
Prudence Nyamishana
Kampala - BEHAVIOURAL change must take place after testing regardless the results. Many people after testing negative; have a tendency to celebrate by being reckless. It is very disappointing that some educated men believe in Jacob Zuma s pathetic belief that if they wash up immediately after having live sex, then they


Uganda: Kitgum Starts Drive Against HIV/Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - December 9, 2008
Justin Moro
Kampala - KITGUM district has launched a five-year plan to fight HIV/AIDS. The plan, to run from 2008-2012, will cost sh9b. It will guid implementers to design and carry out interventions using a multi-sectoral approach. While unveiling the plan, LC5 chairman John Komakech said the district was committed to reducing HI


Uganda: Tears Flow at HIV Show
New Vision (Kampala) - December 9, 2008
Pidson Kareire
Kampala - HIV/AIDS stories often evoke emotion but when they are told by afflicted children, the impact is more visible. The recent Dutch- Uganda music concert by Moses Nsubuga Supercharger was no different: A woman from the audience collapsed on stage as she walked to hand over some money to the youngest boy in one of


Uganda: NRM Blames HIV Rise on Marital Infidelity
New Vision (Kampala) - December 8, 2008
Chris Ahimbisibwe
Kampala - THE NRM chief whip, Kabakumba Matsiko, has said government efforts to fight HIV/AIDS are being bogged down by married couples who engage in extra-marital affairs. Your time of sampling girls ended. You have got your life partners, what are you looking for? Kabakumba asked. She said it was unfortunate that som


Uganda: 350 ARV Centres to Be Opened
New Vision (Kampala) - December 8, 2008
Bonney Odongo
Kampala - A TOTAL of 350 health centres have been accredited across the country to provide anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Dr. Alex Ario, an AIDS control officer in the Ministry of Health, said the development would enable more people to access the therapy. He noted that despite the success of the ministry in adult retr


Uganda: Increasing HIV/Aids Rate Attributed to Domestic Violence
New Vision (Kampala) - December 8, 2008
Moses Odongo
Kampala - THE high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS among married couples has been attributed to domestic violence. The Uganda Women s Network coordinator, Manisurah Aheebwa, said if not stopped, the habit will backtrack the fight against HIV/AIDS. Many lives have been lost. We should get the impetuous to stop the cause, s


OPINION: Uganda: Let Us Be More HIV Alert Than Ever Before
New Vision (Kampala) - December 7, 2008
Dick Muhwezi**
Kampala - Prevalence of a disease in a population refers to the amount of disease or the number of people infected with it at a particular time. Prevalence may also be expressed as a proportion, the number of people infected with the disease as a fraction of the total population in the country at that time giving us a


OPINION: Uganda: 26 Years of HIV - Leaders Should Walk the Talk
New Vision (Kampala) - December 7, 2008
Apophia Agiresaasi**
Kampala - As usual, on December 1, Uganda joined the rest of the world in celebrating World AIDS Day. This also marked the 20th anniversary of world AIDS day since 1988 when it was first celebrated. The theme for the day was leadership for accelerated prevention. As a country, it is about 26 years since the epidemic wa


Uganda: Women Doctors Fighting HIV/Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - December 5, 2008
Susan Muyiyi
Kampala - Doctor Rhoda Wanyenze is the programme manager of the Makerere University School of Public Health - Centre for Disease Control HIV/AIDS Fellowship. For the last five years, Wanyenze has worked closely with HIV/ AIDS patients under the Mulago-Mbarara teaching schools joint AIDS program based in Kampala. It


Uganda: Kirinya Inmates Get Aids Centre
New Vision (Kampala) - December 4, 2008
Esther Mukyala
Kampala - AN outreach centre for HIV/AIDS has been launched at Kirinya Remand Prisons. At least 119 inmates were tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS and for sexually transmitted diseases, officials from the AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) said on Monday. The centre is expected to promote voluntary counselling a


Uganda: Discordant Couples Urged to Use Condoms
New Vision (Kampala) - December 4, 2008
Dismus Buryegyeya
Kampala - THE country director of Elizabeth Glasser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), William Salmond, has advised discordant couples to stick to condom use. He was speaking during the opening of an HIV clinic at Bukulula health centre in Masaka district on December 2 where 640 people living with HIV/AIDS have been en


Uganda: CDC Aids Child ARV Centres
New Vision (Kampala) - December 3, 2008
Moses Nampala
Kampala - THE Centres for Disease Control, an American-based international research organisation, has set aside $25m (about sh48b) to facilitate anti-retroviral therapy for HIV-infected children in Uganda . The countrywide programme is being run by the ministry of health through Baylor College of Medicine Children Foun


Uganda: Rakai Residents Force Leaders to Test for HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - December 3, 2008
Patrick Okino
Kampala - RESIDENTS who had turned to commemorate the World AIDS day in Rakai declined to test for HIV/AIDS and demanded the district leaders to do the test first. The Rakai district chairman Vincent Semakula told residents of Nabigasa sub-county to move to the tent where the exercise was being done but a group of yout


Uganda: Mbarara HIV Patients Get Project
New Vision (Kampala) - December 3, 2008
Abdulkarim Ssengendo
Kampala - WOMEN living with HIV/AIDS in Kinoni, Mbarara district, have received a honey production project from the Japanese government. The Japanese ambassador, Keiichi Kato, who commissioned the project on Tuesday at Kinoni county headquarters, said it aims at supporting community based development projects that bene


Uganda: Apac Education Boss Urges Teachers to Sensitise Students on HIV/Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - December 2, 2008
Patrick Opio
Kampala - Teachers are not sensitising students on the HIV/AIDS scourge, the Apac district education officer, Billy Okunyu, has said. He was addressing about 400 students at a workshop held at Apac Primary School recently. Teachers should not shy away from talking to students about HIV/AIDS because students understand


Uganda: Bitamazire Urges Youth on Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - December 2, 2008
Charles Kakamwa
Kampala - THE fight against HIV/AIDS cannot succeed unless the young are actively involved, the Minister of Education, Namirembe Bitamazire, has said She described the youth as the best agents of change and said they should be empowered as they are most vulnerable. Now that you are here in big numbers, we hope you will


Opinion: Why is HIV Prevalence Rising Despite the Interventions?
New Vision (Kampala) - December 2, 2008
Janet Museveni
Kampala - On World AIDS Day, this week, I made a comment in Parliament which I later suspected may be misreported or misinterpreted by some elements in the media. I therefore, thought it wise to expound on what I meant, not only to forestall any possible misrepresentation but also because I would like to share my thoug


Uganda: Involve Traditional Leaders in HIV/Aids Fight - Bunyoro King
New Vision (Kampala) - December 2, 2008
Kampala - The Omukama of Bunyoro Kitara kingdom, Gafabusa Iguru yesterday appealed to the government to involve traditional leaders in the fight against the deadly HIV virus. He was speaking during activities to mark World Aids day. He says it s impossible to talk about behavioral change without emphasis on culture.


Uganda: HIV/Aids Highest Among Marrieds
New Vision (Kampala) - December 1, 2008
Mary Karugaba And Fred Ouma
Kampala - ABOUT 77% of HIV/AIDS infected persons in Uganda are married, health officials have said. According to Uganda AIDS Control Programme manager, Dr. Zainab Akol, there are 1.1 million Ugandans infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. This means that 737,000 couples live with the virus. Akol attributed


Editorial: Hold Universal HIV Testing
New Vision (Kampala) - December 1, 2008
Kampala - Yesterday, Uganda observed the World AIDS Day with a reminder that the challenge ahead is much bigger than was expected a few years ago. The decline in HIV infection rates, for which Uganda was acclaimed worldwide, is no more. Instead, infection rates appear to be rising in some areas. At the same time th


Uganda: 'Clean Water Important in HIV Fight'
New Vision (Kampala) - December 1, 2008
Jeff Lule
Kampala - HIV/AIDS patients are more vulnerable to poor sanitation, a government official has said. The water and environment minister, Maria Mutagamba, said her ministry was committed to providing clean and safe water to patients. She said the ministry had introduced a water and sanitation sector strategy aimed at pro


Uganda: PMTCT Babies Get Health Boost
New Vision (Kampala) - December 1, 2008
Kampala - A local NGO is supporting 307 babies born free of HIV under the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. According to Health Alert Uganda , six babies were born HIV-positive because they were delivered at home in Gulu and Amuru districts. Walter Anywar, the programme assistant, said the group had supported


Uganda: PMTCT Babies Get Health Boost
New Vision (Kampala) - December 1, 2008
Kampala - A local NGO is supporting 307 babies born free of HIV under the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. According to Health Alert Uganda , six babies were born HIV-positive because they were delivered at home in Gulu and Amuru districts. Walter Anywar, the programme assistant, said the group had supported


Uganda: Taso Launches New Aids Strategy
New Vision (Kampala) - November 30, 2008
Elvis Bassude
Kampala - AS World AIDS Day is marked today, the fight against the disease remains hindered by indequate treatment in poor countries and setbacks in finding an effective vaccine, experts say. There have been plenty of advances over the past two decades. While 33 million people have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV


Uganda: Country Makes HIV Test Kits
New Vision (Kampala) - November 30, 2008
Steven Candia
Kampala - A LOCAL firm, Astel Diagnostics, is manufacturing medical kits for the quick diagnosis of both HIV and malaria, boosting local initiatives in the fight against the killer diseases. The firm based in Lugogo, a city suburb also manufactures rapid diagnostic kits for pregnancy tests and Hepatitis B. With the tes


Uganda: Plans to Criminalise HIV Condemned
New Vision (Kampala) - November 30, 2008
Steven Candia
Kampala - AN International body on law and health has condemned the criminalisation of HIV exposure or transmission. The move, by a number of states, including Uganda , was an unjust public policy, it said. The Open Society Institute of Law and Health Initiative, which will release its report today to mark the World AI


Africa: 'Food Crisis a Blessing to Continent'
New Vision (Kampala) - November 29, 2008
Joyce Namutebi
Kampala - PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has reiterated that he is happy with the current food crisis, saying it is a good opportunity for Africa. If the world is now desperate for food, that is good for Africa. Certainly, it is good for Uganda , Museveni said at the opening of the 31st conference of the African Parliamenta


Uganda: NGO Takes Aids Fight to Schools
New Vision (Kampala) - November 27, 2008
Chris Ocowun
Kampala - SAVE the Children Uganda is conducting an HIV/AIDS and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) campaign in primary schools and villages in Gulu and Amuru districts. Pamela Grace Lanyero, the coordinator, said they had received over sh1.5b to offer packages to children and youth living with HIV/AIDS. Lanye


Uganda: False Aids Doctors to Be Prosecuted
New Vision (Kampala) - November 27, 2008
Mary Karugaba
Kampala - ANY person who gives misleading information regarding HIV/AIDS will be prosecuted. The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Draft Bill 2008 says all information regarding HIV shall be scientifically verified before being announced. The Bill, drafted by MPs on the HIV/AIDS committee, will provide for the preven


Uganda: HIV to Reduce GDP By 1.2 Percent
New Vision (Kampala) - November 26, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - UGANDA S gross domestic product (GDP) will reduce by 1.2% if the HIV infection rate is not controlled, a new report has shown. The report indicates that the average GDP growth will reduce by 6.2% to 5% a year from 2008 to 2016. This is 1.2% yearly. The study assesses the macroeconomic impact of the disease on


Aids Patients to Get Home
New Vision (Kampala) - November 25, 2008
Abou Kisige
SIX homes for people living with AIDS are to be constructed at Mbuya parish in Kampala. The homes, worth sh45m, are expected to improve their living conditions and the delivery of anti-retroviral drugs. Joram Nyanzi, the manager of Spedag Group, a constrcution firm and Dr. Stella Talisuna, the executive director of Rea


Uganda: Civil Society Opposes Law on HIV Transmission
New Vision (Kampala) - November 22, 2008
Jeff Lule and Abou Kisige
CIVIL society activists have opposed the Government s move to criminalise intentional spread of HIV/AIDS. There is no law subjecting all Ugandans to mandatory testing. Our law is just silent about this critical matter to see that everyone knows his status, said David Baguma, the Chairman of Uganda Network on Law and Et


Uganda: First Ladies Vow to Fight HIV/Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - November 21, 2008
FIRST lady Janet Museveni and her Nigerian counterpart Mrs Turai Umaru Yar Adua have pleadged to work together in tackling the HIV/AIDS pandemic and its effects in their countries. The two made the committement in the Nigerian capital, Abuja yesterday. Mrs Museveni, who is accompanying her husband, Yoweri Museveni, on


Male Circumcision Policy Coming
New Vision (Kampala) - November 19, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
THE health ministry has started the drafting the national Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) policy for HIV prevention. The general director of health services, Dr. Sam Zaramba, said: Assessment of the capacity of health units to implement the policy has been conducted. Zaramba called upon the public to embrace circumcisi


Aids Worse Danger to Army - Museveni
New Vision (Kampala) - November 19, 2008
Frederick Kiwanuka
HIV/AIDS is the greatest challenge the army faces, the President has said. More UPDF soldiers have died from HIV/Aids than at the war front, Yoweri Museveni said. Museveni made the comments while passing out 1,966 new UPDF recruits at Kaweweta military training school in Nakaseke on Tuesday. Live responsibly so as to e


Complacency Hindering HIV Fight
New Vision (Kampala) - November 13, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
INCREASING complacency, especially among the youth, is affecting the fight against HIV/AIDS, health experts have said. The reduction over the years in the prevalence of HIV and the availability of anti-retroviral drugs has made many people think that HIV is no longer a problem. The number of people engaging in unprotec


COLUMN: Bitamazire is Admitting Failure of Her Ministry!
New Vision (Kampala) - November 11, 2008
Opiyo Oloya
PERSPECTIVE OF A UGANDAN IN CANADA UGANDA S minister of Education and Sports, Namirembe Bitamazire, announced over the weekend that she may seek to ban pregnant students from sitting examinations. The current policy expels pregnant students but allows them to sit for examinations. Such drastic action according to the m


Kitgum to Train Clinical Staff in Male Circumcision
New Vision (Kampala) - November 11, 2008
Justin Moro
CLINICAL officers in Kitgum district will soon be trained in circumcision of males, an official has said. Thomas Ojok, the district HIV/AIDS focal point person, said they plan to encourage males to get circumcised, which he said was one of the means to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. He was speaking during an HIV/AIDS t


OPINION: Pre-Emptive ARVs Can Prevent HIV Infection
New Vision (Kampala) - November 9, 2008
Cathy Watson**
Last week, The New Vision ran a photo of a nine-year-old girl who was defiled. The sub-editor concealed the child s face to protect her identity. But anyone could see what she was feeling: shock, bewilderment, fear. As I studied the photo, I wondered: Did anyone offer her PEP? PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis .


Uganda: Clinical Trials Launched
New Vision (Kampala) - November 8, 2008
Elvis Basudde and Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - THE AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) is to launch a five-year clinical trial on preventing the spread of HIV among discordant couples. Discordance is where one partner is HIV positive and the other negative. The Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEp) HIV prevention strategy will involve giving a pill to the negative


Country to Get Obama HIV/Aids Funding
New Vision (Kampala) - November 7, 2008
Charles Wendo
Kampala - AMERICAN President-elect Barack Obama intends to progressively increase US funding for AIDS in African countries. In a position statement on the epidemic, Obama pledged to allocate $50b by 2013 to fight AIDS globally. Though details are yet to be worked out, Uganda has been one of the main recipients of Ameri


Defiler jailed for 12 years
New Vision (Kampala) - November 7, 2008
Alex Bukumunhe, in Mukono
A 65-year-old man in Mukono district was on Wednesday sentenced to 12 years in prison for defiling a nine-year-old girl. Vincent Ziryawulawo, a resident of Kabawala Village in Nabbaale sub-county was convicted after he pleaded guilty to the offence, saying he did it under the influence of alcohol. Prosecution told the


Uganda: New Clinical Trials to Help Discordant HIV Couples
New Vision (Kampala) - November 6, 2008
Kampala - TASO Uganda is to launch a five year clinical trial on pre-exposure prophylaxis as an HIV prevention strategy among discordant couples in Uganda. The Taso deputy director of research Dr. Jonathan Wangisi saidt about 50% of people living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda were living in discordant a relationship which pu


Nakasero Market Vendors Test for HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - November 4, 2008
Godfrey Kimono
OVER 800 Nakasero Market vendors on Monday tested for HIV/AIDS in the ongoing testing campaign. The move is aimed at controlling the impact of the epidemic in market places. The voluntary HIV testing and counselling exercise targeted over 1,000 vendors in 14 different markets in and around Kampala. Angela Wapakhabulo,


Aids Activist Demands Better Care
New Vision (Kampala) - November 4, 2008
Francis Emorut
HEALTH service providers should give quality service to HIV/AIDS patients to avoid the spread of the pandemic, an HIV activist has said. I urge you to improve the quality of care of HIV/AIDS patients to reduce more infection, Angelina Wapakhabulo, the coordinator of the Market Vendors AIDS Project, told participants at


Uganda: HIV Prevention - Nevirapine Repackaged for Home Births
New Vision (Kampala) - November 2, 2008
Irene Nabusoba
MAJORITY of women in poor countries, especially in Africa, do not deliver at health facilities. Neither do they return for post-natal checkups or skilled assessment of the infant. This increases the chances of HIV infection. But, this is about to change with the advent of repackaged nevirapine


Activists Decry Compulsory HIV Testing Before Marriage
New Vision (Kampala) - November 2, 2008
Anne Mugisa
ACTIVISTS want the proposed HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control law to stop places of worship from insisting on HIV tests before wedding couples. During a workshop to review the proposed law, which is still with the Uganda Law Review Commission (ULRC), Beatrice Were said the demand by places of worship was discriminatory a


Uganda: 600 Test for TB, HIV/Aids in Amuru
New Vision (Kampala) - November 2, 2008
Charles Mukiibi
OVER 600 people turned up for TB and HIV/AIDS testing in Amuru district. The outreach camp was organised by the Northern Uganda Malaria, AIDS/HIV and Tuberculosis Programme (NUMAT) and Koch-Goma internally displaced people s camp. The NUMAT information, education and communication manger, Michael Ochora, said the camp


Uganda: Aids Activists Reject Bill
New Vision (Kampala) - October 28, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
PEOPLE living with HIV/AIDS have rejected the proposed HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Bill 2008. The draft Bill criminalises the intentional transmission of HIV and AIDS. According to Section 37 of the Bill, a person who intentionally transmits HIV and Aids to another person commits an offence. We should avoid creatin


Uganda: $700 Million Needed for HIV Fight
New Vision (Kampala) - October 28, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
UGANDA requires an estimated $700m (about sh1.3 trillion) over the next one-and-a-half years to finance its HIV/AIDS priority activities, the Uganda AIDS Commission has said. We estimate that about 25% of this will go towards prevention measures, while 53% will go towards treatment, care and improving systems to delive


MPs Urged on Behaviour Change
New Vision (Kampala) - October 27, 2008
Irene Nabusoba
THE speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, has urged MPs to be agents of positive behaviour change, which he said is vital in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Ssekandi said the availability of antiretroviral drugs had led to complacency, as people no longer viewed AIDS as an immediate death sentence . Experts believe that


Teachers Living With HIV Start Orphanage
New Vision (Kampala) - October 26, 2008
John Kasozi
DRESSED in a long-sleeved zebra T-shirt, he sat in a pool of urine mixed with mud. His legs crisscrossed as he sucks his soiled dirty fingers and his eyes glued to whoever passed by their deserted home. The lamp of life flickered a little. Jiggers had eaten up his feet and palms. Countless flies landed and took off aft


New Strategic Plan to Reduce Prevalence
New Vision (Kampala) - October 26, 2008
Joseph Kariuki
THE Uganda Aids Commission recently launched the National HIV&AIDS Strategic Plan for the year 2007/8-2011/12. The plan, titled Moving Towards Universal Access, hopes to counter the escalating HIV prevalence in the country. It comes at a time when the HIV prevalence rate is on a decade high of 6.7%, according to th


First Lady commends global health group over HIV fight
New Vision (Kampala) - October 21, 2008
THE First Lady, Janet Museveni, has met with Henry McKinnell, the chairman of the Global Health Foundation. Global Health Foundation raises funds to treat and prevent infections in Africa, including HIV/AIDS. During the meeting at State House Entebbe, on Monday, Mrs. Museveni commended the organisation for its support


HIV Group to Fight Anti-Aids Law
New Vision (Kampala) - October 17, 2008
Anne Mugisa
THE people living with HIV/AIDS have condemned the proposed HIV Prevention and Control Law. They asked the Government to drop the Bill which is currently before the parliamentary committee on HIV/AIDS. The proposed law is aimed at criminalising deliberate spread of the deadly virus. According to Flavia Kyomukama of the


'Prosecute Ecweru' - HIV/Aids Forum
New Vision (Kampala) - October 17, 2008
Participants at the ongoing 6th HIV/AIDS partnership Forum taking place in Kampala have demanded for the immediate trial of Minister Musa Ecweru over defilement allegations. Participants criticized the Government for not expediting the trial of the minister saying justice is not administered equally. Ecweru is alleged


NGO to Sensitise Kasese Residents on Aids Stigma
New Vision (Kampala) - October 15, 2008
John Nzinjah
A total of 1,143 members of a community based organisation have been deployed in Kasese district to sensitise people about the AIDS scourge. The team will inform residents about the importance of voluntary testing and declaring one s sero status, said a coordinator with the National Community of Women Living with HIV/A


Uganda: Five Year HIV Plan Launched
New Vision (Kampala) - October 14, 2008
Mary Karugaba
THE Uganda AIDS Commission yesterday launched a five-year national HIV strategic plan aimed at reducing the infection rate by 40%. David Kihumuro Apuuli, the director general, said the new infection rate is expected to reduce from 163,000 to below 100,000 people per year by 2012. This, he said, would be achieved th


'Sharing Women Causing Aids'
New Vision (Kampala) - October 14, 2008
Francis Kagolo
SHARING women is one of the leading causes of the high HIV/AIDS prevalence among the fishing communities on Lake Victoria, a new report has revealed. The practice, the report says, is fuelled by the small number of women on the landing sites and the nomadic nature of the fishermen. The report by the Lake Victoria Fishe


Africa: Continent Has to Win Aids War - Kenneth Kaunda
New Vision (Kampala) - October 13, 2008
Fortunate Ahimbisibwe
Kampala - FORMER Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda told Ugandan journalists yesterday that HIV/AIDS is a war Africa had to win. Kaunda is in Uganda to launch Cavendish University in Uganda, which was recently licensed by the National Council for Higher Education. Kaunda is the chancellor of the university. I am fighting


Uganda: Mama's Club Gets Aids Award
New Vision (Kampala) - October 12, 2008
Anne Mugisa
Kampala - DETERMINATION and perseverance has paid off for Mama s Club. The Ugandan club won the Red Ribbon Award at the 17th international AIDS conference in Mexico , in recognition of its outstanding community leadership and Action on HIV/AIDS. It was received by the Club s chairperson, Rehema Gokyalya, accompanied by


Uganda: Men Behind New HIV Infections
New Vision (Kampala) - October 11, 2008
Charles Ariko
Kampala - THE increase in the number of people acquiring HIV/AIDS has been attributed to men who have four or more sexual partners. Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli, the Uganda AIDS Commission Director General, said the majority of these men were married. He added that even the unmarried ones, not wanting to be left behind, had jum


Continent Must Take Charge of Her Future - Museveni
New Vision (Kampala) - October 6, 2008
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni was in New York where he addressed the UN High-Level Plenary Meeting on September 22, 2008. Below is the speech. In the 1960s, Africa s growth and transformation - evolving from Third World to First World countries - was impeded by, mainly, the anti-private sector attitudes of the governments


Uganda: Test HIV, Museveni Tells Women
New Vision (Kampala) - October 2, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - President Yoweri Museveni wants all pregnant women in Uganda to test for HIV and, if found positive, access treatment to save the lives of their unborn children. He said this would prevent the spread of HIV and save hundreds of babies infected by the virus through mother-to-child transmission. Long before


Uganda: Clerics to Preach About Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - October 2, 2008
Patrick Opio
Kampala - Religious leaders in Apac district have resolved to jointly fight the spread of the HIV virus. The Christian and Muslim clerics agreed to include messages about the prevention of HIV/AIDS in their sermons at a workshop on Monday. The seminar was organised by the Northern Uganda Malaria, AIDS and Tuberculo


Uganda: Vice President Hails U.S. University Partnership
New Vision (Kampala) - October 2, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - The Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, has hailed Case Western Reserve University, a US university, for contributing towards the development of Uganda s health care system. Bukenya said the university had trained Uganda s scientists for the last 20 years. He was speaking during the celebrations to mark 20


Uganda: Ssekandi Calls for Behavioural Change in HIV/Aids Fight
New Vision (Kampala) - October 1, 2008
Francis Kagolo
Kampala - THE Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, has advised the Government and charity organisations to focus on behaviour change in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We are not yet able to adequately care for all people living with HIV/AIDS and provide them with anti-retroviral therapy. It is better for us to step up


Uganda: HIV/Aids Centre for Kids Opens
New Vision (Kampala) - October 1, 2008
Ganzi Muhanguzi
Kampala - BAYLOR College of Medicine will today open a state-of-the-art pediatric and HIV/AIDS prevention centre at Mulago Hospital. The centre, which was a donation from the Bristol-Myers Squib Foundation, would give free HIV/AIDS treatment to children across East Africa. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the


Uganda: Stanchart Leads HIV/Aids Fight
New Vision (Kampala) - September 29, 2008
Joseph Kariuki
Kampala - THE Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli, has asked the private sector to come up with policies to curb the rate of HIV infections. we are not containing the new infections, he said. Kihumuro made the remarks during a breakfast on HIV awareness for small and medium enterprises,


Uganda: Bishop Urges on ABC Strategy
New Vision (Kampala) - September 29, 2008
Daniel Edyegu
Kampala - Christians have been urged to shun religious leaders who preach against the ABC (Abstinence, Be faithful and Condom use) strategy in fighting HIV/AIDS. The retired Anglican Bishop of Soroti diocese, Geresom Ilukor, noted that some religious leaders were misleading Christians and discouraging them from taking


KPC's Watoto Brings Hope, Healing to Orphans in Northern Uganda
New Vision (Kampala) - September 28, 2008
Ganzi Muhanguzi
Kampala - WHAT do you do when God thrusts you in a country torn by civil strife and a continent that has over six million orphans? For Gary and Marilyn Skinner, Canadian missionary pastors, the response was to start a youth-based church, Kampala Pentecostal Church, (KPC) in 1984. Twenty four years down the road, KPC is


Uganda: New Millet Varieties Developed
New Vision (Kampala) - September 23, 2008
Kikonyogo Ngatya
Kampala - Researchers have developed four new varieties of finger and pearl millet with high protein concentration. They are intended to boost the food and nutritional value of communities, especially in semi-arid areas in the country like Karamoja. Dr. Nelson Wanyera, the head of cereal research programmes at the Nati


Uganda: Fight Defilement, Men Told
New Vision (Kampala) - September 23, 2008
Luke Kagiri
Kampala - The Nabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda, has urged men to condemn and fight defilement. During her tour of Ssingo county, Mubende district on Friday, Nagginda cited the high number of cases of defilement in the area, saying: How would you feel when an adult defiles your daughter? Some of you have even been involved i


Uganda: HIV/Aids Increase Blamed On Adultery
New Vision (Kampala) - September 23, 2008
Charles Jjuuko
Kampala - The high prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Kayunga district is caused by people who engage in adultery, the acting district chairperson, Boniface Bandikubi, has said. Bandikubi was speaking at the closing ceremony of a one-week training course of over 30 peer educators at Kayunga community centre on Monday.


Uganda: Circumcision Surgeons to Stop Work at 60
New Vision (Kampala) - September 22, 2008
Joseph Wanzusi
Kampala - A MEMBER of the Bagisu Cultural Board has proposed that the retirement age for the circumcision surgeons (Bakhebi) be set at 60 years if their sight is still good. He said this would minimise the accidents that occur during the operation. John Musila made the remarks at a consultative workshop on the promotio


Uganda: Aids Body Needs Sh641 Billion for Equipment
New Vision (Kampala) - September 21, 2008
Paul Kiwuuwa
Kampala - The Uganda AIDS Commission needs sh641b this financial year, according to the director general, Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli. Kihumuro told the parliamentary committee on HIV/AIDS on Thursday that part of the funds would be used to procure ARVs and HIV-testing equipment. He added that free HIV/AIDS testing and counsel


Uganda: Country Tests Pill to Prevent HIV Infection
New Vision (Kampala) - September 19, 2008
Hilary Bainemigisha
Kampala - A drug designed to reduce the transmission of HIV when taken as a single pill before unprotected sex is going to be tested in Uganda soon. The pill has proved successful in monkeys and initial tests in human beings have shown encouraging results, according to Dr Patrick Ndase, who is coordinating the drug tri


Uganda: MUK Students to Clean Up Kampala Suburbs
New Vision (Kampala) - September 16, 2008
Francis Kagolo
Kampala - MAKERERE university students have launched a campaign to clean filthy suburbs in the city. The long term health-awareness drive, codenamed Cleanup Kampala, is intended to reduce major health risks like cholera, which are rampant during the rain seasons. In the campaign, which begun on Saturday in Bwaise, Kawe


Uganda: Town Clerk Warns of Witchdoctors
New Vision (Kampala) - September 15, 2008
Abdulkarim Ssengendo
Kampala - Mbarara Town Clerk David Naluwayiro has warned people living with HIV against believing in witchdoctors who claim to cure AIDS. Naluwayiro said such witchdoctors had increased the spread of the disease and therefore should be stopped. Do not go to witchdoctors. I know they have been deceiving you with herbs t


Uganda: Masindi Gets Centre for HIV Patients
New Vision (Kampala) - September 14, 2008
Arthur Baguma
Kampala - MASINDI leaders are optimistic that the opening of the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in the district will help address the HIV/AIDS problem. HIV/AIDS infections have been of great concern to us. Now that we have a centre, patients will access drugs easily, said the resident district commissioner, Mugi


Kids given needless drugs - report
New Vision (Kampala) - September 9, 2008
Anne Mugisa and Raymond Baguma
DOCTORS are giving children unnecessary antibiotics, a study has revealed. The study indicated that while antibiotics may be warranted for bacterial pneumonia or dysentery, they should not be prescribed for viral or minor respiratory or diarrhoeal illnesses. Ugandan providers seem to be over prescribing antibiotics for


HIV and Children Driven to Tears at School
New Vision (Kampala) - September 9, 2008
Fred Ouma
Kampala - FAITH Namukasa could not hold her tears as she decried friends, teachers and the communities who discriminate against orphaned children and chase them away from schools and health facilities because of their HIV status. My parents died while I was still very young and I cannot really remember them much. I onl


Uganda: Bukoto MP Roots for Behaviour Change
New Vision (Kampala) - September 8, 2008
Ali Mambule
Masaka - BUKOTO Midwest MP Isaac Sejjoba has advised the Government and non-governmental organisations to focus on behaviour change when fighting AIDS. Enough has been done with awareness and I believe that every Ugandan knows what AIDS is, the ways through which it is acquired and how one can prevent it, Sejjoba said.


Museveni attends Swazi national day
New Vision (Kampala) - September 7, 2008
Joyce Namutebi
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni, his wife Janet and other heads of state on Saturday joined the people of Swaziland in celebrations to mark the kingdom s 40th independence anniversary. The celebrations held at Somtholo National Stadium in the Swazi capital, Mbabane, also coincided with the 40th birthday celebrations of the S


Uganda: Health Ministry Promises Enough ARVs
New Vision (Kampala) - September 5, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - THE Ministry of Health has assured People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLHA) that the shortage of Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARVs) will soon be history. We have averted the situation, Dr. Nathan Mugisha, the acting health ministry permanent secretary, said. One of our suppliers started delivering on Tuesday. We are also


Uganda: U.S.-Based Organisation Earmarks Sh4 BIllion for Children Living With HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - September 30, 2008
Joseph Wanzusi
Kampala - TWELVE districts are to benefit from sh4.8b project meant for treatment and care of children living with HIV. The five-year project is funded by US-based Baylor College of Medicine Children s Foundation. The beneficiary districts are Budaka, Bududa, Butaleja, Busia, Pallisa, Manafwa, Sironko, Amuria, Kumi, Ka


Uganda: Health Ministry Receives ARVs
New Vision (Kampala) - September 3, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - THE Ministry of Health has received the first batch of the anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) from Quality Chemicals Industries. The drugs, which included those for malaria, were from India . They were delivered at the National Medical Stores on Tuesday. Martin Oteba, the acting assistant commissioner in charge of


Uganda: Kalangala Given Motorcycles to Fight HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - September 3, 2008
Rehema Aanyu
Kampala - KALANGALA local district government on Saturday got 12 Yamaha motorcycles worth sh35m to conduct door-to-door HIV counselling and voluntary testing. The move was aimed at curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS in the fishing communities around Lake Victoria. The district health officer, Hillary Bitakalamire, said: O


Uganda: President Museveni to Probe Local Governments
New Vision (Kampala) - September 3, 2008
Kampala - THE Government is to investigate the use of the funds it gives local governments, President Yoweri Museveni has said. Museveni said the roads were in a bad state yet districts receive huge sums of money from the Central Government annually. The President, who is on a four-day Prosperity-For-All tour to Kanung


Africa: Country Leads Anti-Child Labour Campaign in Africa
New Vision (Kampala) - September 3, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - UGANDA has been undertaking a four-year pilot project aimed at preventing child labour among AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. The $3m (about sh5b) project, funded by the US department of labour, started in 2005 and is to run till December 2008 in Uganda and Zambia . The proj


Uganda: Shortage of Aids Drugs Persists, Says Ministry
New Vision (Kampala) - September 1, 2008
Anthony Bugembe and Charles Ariko
Kampala - THE shortage of Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs in the country could be worse than earlier reported, according to the stock status of the health ministry s Anti-Retroviral Therapy programme. As of August 19, there were no stocks for the life-prolonging AIDS drugs at the ministry. A total of 66,950 patients are on


Army Officers Cautioned on Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - August 31, 2008
Steven Candia
The chief of staff of the Land Forces, Brig. Charles Angina, has said that by being disciplined, the soldiers would make the drive to professionalise the army easier. Angina, who was on Friday speaking during the decoration ceremony of newly-promoted and commissioned officers, attributed individual successes to God, ad


Coca Cola in HIV Testing Outreaches
New Vision (Kampala) - August 31, 2008
THE English adage: Charity begins at home came true recently as Century Bottling Company employees took HIV tests. Led by the managing director, Citos Reyes, over 400 employees were tested by staff from the Mildmay Centre, Lweza. Thereafter, the company took the campaign to the community neighbouring its premises. Empl


Men Urged to Participate in Aids Fight
New Vision (Kampala) - August 31, 2008
Anthony Bugembe and Elvis Basudde
District Health Officers and leaders have been challenged to increase male participation in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and AIDS. Male involvement in prevention of mother-to-child prevention programmes is very low in nearly all the districts we are supporting, said Dr. David Serukka. We a


Community Mental Services Successful
New Vision (Kampala) - August 31, 2008
Florence Nakaayi
Kamwokya Christian Caring Community provides community mental health services by involving patients, survivors, care-givers and the community. Francis Mbaziira, the director of the center, says the clinic was started in partnership with BasicNeeds UK, Uganda in 2004. The center also has a general clinic and provides ca


HIV Spreading Despite Efforts to Prevent It
New Vision (Kampala) - August 31, 2008
One of the reasons behind the successes in the campaign against HIV/AIDS in Uganda has been the collaboration of stakeholders. However, infections are rising. The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) says about 1.5 million Ugandans are infected with HIV, while about 28 million are HIV-negative. The 2004-5 Sero Behaviou


OPINION: Discrepencies in HIV Testing
New Vision (Kampala) - August 31, 2008
He had always wanted to go for an HIV test, but somehow dreaded the process. I cannot imagine spending a whole day lining up, Joseph Kayeyo said. Besides, do I look sick? he asked rhetorically. Kayeyo is just one among millions of Ugandans who have not tested for HIV. The 2006 Demographic and Health Survey indicates th


HIV Workplace Policy for Boda Boda Launched
New Vision (Kampala) - August 31, 2008
A new workplace HIV/AIDs programme that will provide free HIV/AIDS counselling and testing for Boda Boda cyclists has been launched. The programme is an initiative of The Health Initiatives for the Private Sector (HiPs) project, St. Catherine s Clinic, a private health center and the Boda Boda Transport Industry Commun


Sh4b for HIV/AIDS fight in Kalangala
New Vision - August 31, 2008
Ali Mambule
KALANGALA district has received sh4.8b from the American Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to fund the home-based voluntary counselling and testing programme. The director of the Centres for Disease Control, Donna Kabatesi, who launched the programme at Kalangala district headquarters on Thursday, sa


Rukungiri HIV Rate Up to 36 Percent
New Vision (Kampala) - August 30, 2008
Caleb Bahikaho
THE Rukungiri Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Feddy Garyahandere, has expressed concern over the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. Garyahandere, who was speaking at the recent candlelight memorial organised by TASO in Rukungiri, called for immediate action from all stakeholders. She stressed the role of parents in


New Pattern in HIV Spread
New Vision (Kampala) - August 30, 2008
Recently, a survey was carried out on the current trends of HIV infection in Uganda . HIV is an area in which Uganda has made significant strides over the past decade, with an overall reduction of infection from as high as 28% to around 7% today. However, the most recent survey indicates that HIV is on the rise again.


Sensitise Students on HIV - First Lady
New Vision (Kampala) - August 29, 2008
Vision Reporter
THE wife of the President and Ruhaama County MP, Janet Museveni, has appealed to teachers at all levels to always sensitise students on the dangers posed by the HIV/AIDS scourge. She said that since teachers spend more time with students than any other groups in society, they should use that proximity to equip them wit


Makerere to Hold HIV Testing Drive
New Vision (Kampala) - August 28, 2008
MAKERERE University is to hold a campaign on voluntary HIV/AIDS testing and counselling in hostels and halls of residence. According to the guild health minister, Nelson Igaba, the exercise will start on Monday at the Senate Building. For a long time, the university has been accused of sexual immorality, but we wish to


Health Ministry Secure ARV Drugs
New Vision (Kampala) - August 27, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
THE shortage of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) is about to end, the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Sam Zaramba, has assured the public. He told The New Vision on Tuesday that the Ministry of Health was waiting for a batch of ARVs (AIDS drugs) from Quality Chemicals Industries, which will arrive any time .


Mother-to-Child HIV Prevention Questioned
New Vision (Kampala) - August 26, 2008
Anthony Bugembe and Elvis Basuude
UGANDA S method of preventing HIV transmission from mother-to-child is not effective, AIDS activists have said. Dr. Justine Nankinga, the national Anti-Reviral Therapy coordinator in the ministry of health, said in most developing countries, health workers administer only a single dose of


OPINION: The Big Picture on Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - August 25, 2008
Cathy Watson**
THOUGH I think about HIV every day at Straight Talk, attending the world AIDS conference in Mexico this month came as a shock. It was like having my brain prised open, taken apart and then re-assembled. The first thing that hit me was the passion. Did you know that the US has no national AIDS policy, that one in every


A new hope for HIV+ pregnant mothers
New Vision (Kampala) - August 22, 2008
Anthony Bugembe and Elvis Basuude
After years of using a single dose of nevirapine to prevent HIV+ mothers from passing on the virus to their babies during delivery, scientific evidence is showing that is not good enough. The country has been implementing PMTCT since 2000 but the regiments that we are using in Uganda


ARV shortage hits
New Vision (Kampala) - August 22, 2008
-- Children living with HIV being supported by Makerere and John Hopkins universities entertaining delegates during the just concluded annual national HIV paediatric conference. Of the 50,000 children in urgent need of immediate life-saving HIV treatment, only 10,000 are accessing the essential intervention Dr. Elizabe


950 babies get HIV treatment
New Vision (Kampala) - August 22, 2008
Chris Ocowun
A total of 959 babies, born to HIV positive mothers in Gulu district, have received Niverapine to prevent them from getting the virus. Statistics released by the administrator of Gulu University teaching hospital, Rita Namutebi on Tuesday, showed that at least 1,083 babies had been delivered by HIV positive mothers in


Uganda Runs Out of AIDS Drugs
New Vision (Kampala) - August 22, 2008
Anthony Bugembe and Elvis Basudde
THERE is a shortage of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs), AIDS activists and health ministry officials have said. The National coordinator of Positive Men s Union, Richard Sserunkuuma, told Saturday Vision they started feeling the shortage mid last year. Consequently, the National Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS Networ


Scientists plan new HIV protection for females
New Vision (Kampala) - August 21, 2008
Anne Mugisa
SCIENTISTS are designing a new way of protecting women from getting infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, the Uganda Aids Commission chief said yesterday. Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli said studies were ongoing to combine anti-retroviral drugs with pessaries for vaginal insertion to kill HIV before it gets into body cel


'Gay activities rife in schools'
New Vision (Kampala) - August 21, 2008
Anne Mugisa
SCHOOLS have become breeding grounds for homosexuality, according to Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli. Anne Mugisa reports that the Aids Commission chief urged the education ministry to stamp out the vice. He, however, noted that parents and guardians had an even bigger responsibility to inculcate African values in their children.


Antibodies could prevent HIV transmission
New Vision (Kampala) - August 20, 2008
Grain of science: ANTIBODIES that prevent some HIV-positive people from getting AIDS could be used to develop microbicides or a vaccine to prevent HIV-negative people from contracting the virus, according to research presented at the XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico recently. Antibodies are our soldier


Patriarchal traditions driving HIV pandemic
New Vision (Kampala) - August 20, 2008
Apophia Agiresaasi
THE Nabbagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda, recently launched the Go Getters club at Makerere University Business School, a group that mobilises girls against cross generational sex by instilling in them confidence to pursue their dreams. In the same breath, Kampala city boasts of a number of billboards beckoning the


Uganda: HIV - 20,000 Kids Infected By Moms
New Vision (Kampala) - August 20, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - THE reduction of new HIV infections among children should start with the prevention of mother-to-child transmission, the director general of the Uganda AIDS Commission said yesterday. Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli also observed that about 20,000 new HIV cases every year in Uganda were due to mother-to-child infections.


Uganda: Church Sues HIV-Positive Ex-Member
New Vision (Kampala) - August 18, 2008
Moses Mugalu
Kampala - A CHURCH in Kampala has sued a woman living with HIV/AIDS and a pastor for defamation. Last year, Frances Adroa and Pastor Solomon Male accused the Universal Church of The Kingdom of God of taking Adroa s car with promises of healing her but her condition did not change. Adroa was member of the church on Geor


Uganda: Rights Activists Want Domestic Bill Passed
New Vision (Kampala) - August 18, 2008
Rehema Aanyu
Kampala - HUMAN rights activists have urged the Government to pass the Domestic Relations Bill to curb the increasing violence against women. Citing media reports of husbands murdering their wives for infecting them with HIV, the activists called on the Government to inject more money into the HIV/AIDS campaigns for co


Uganda: Loacls Fear Testing for HIV, Says Jinja Official
New Vision (Kampala) - August 18, 2008
Esther Mukyala
Kampala - ONLY 12% of Ugandans have tested for HIV, according to the Aids Information Centre (AIC). The Jinja branch manager, James Okweny, noted that many people fear knowing their sero status. He said the rate at which the AIDS virus was being spread was high because people were scared of going for voluntary counseli


Marrieds key to HIV prevention strategies
New Vision (Kampala) - August 17, 2008
Ann Kobusinge**
Uganda is internationally praised for controlling and managing the HIV/AIDS pandemic. However, recent studies indicate that new infections now occur among marrieds, who exhibit ignorance of the way the virus is transmitted. Care providers and policy makers are concerned about this new trend and argue that solutions m


INTERVIEW: Modelled By Conflict
New Vision (Kampala) - August 16, 2008
Elizabeth Namazzi
Kampala - DICKSON Opul is the founder and executive director of Uganda Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS and owner of Bethlehem Medical Centre. He told Elizabeth Namazzi the story of his life. Why did you choose a career in medicine and in HIV in particular? It had something to do with one of my teachers. Before S6,


Uganda: Taso Urges Positive Living
New Vision (Kampala) - August 15, 2008
Esther Mukyala
Kampala - People living with HIV/AIDS have been urged to change their behaviour and adapt to positive living to prevent the spread of the virus. The Aids Support Organisation (TASO) Uganda director of special duties and one of the eight founder members, Peter Ssebanga, said the disease should be fought to prevent new i


Uganda: Uganda Misses Global Fund Money
New Vision (Kampala) - August 15, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - Uganda is not among the countries to benefit from round eight of funding from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Global Fund usually invites low and lower-middle income countries to submit requests for grants in successive funding rounds. The deadline for submissions in the latest ro


Uganda: 91 Million Condoms Distributed
New Vision (Kampala) - August 14, 2008
Chris Kiwawulo
Kampala - A TOTAL of 91 million condoms were circulated last year, statistics from the Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG) show. Most of them were used, causing a temporary shortage of condoms early this year. The data indicates that the Ministry of Health distributed 55 million condoms, UHMG 12 million, Life Guard 18


UNAIDS should be dismantled rapidly
New Vision (Kampala) - August 12, 2008
Roger England**
AS the biennial international AIDS industry conference gathers 25,000 delegates in Mexico , a wind of change is blowing. UNAIDS , the UN s AIDS advocacy body, stands accused of exaggerating the threat of AIDS, wasting billions on preventing epidemics that were never going to happen and undermining basic healthcare in A


Uganda: Locally-Made ARVs Go on Sale
New Vision (Kampala) - August 12, 2008
Francis Kagolo
Kampala - THE first Ugandan-made Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs are now on sale in the country. Emmanuel Katongole, the chief executive of Quality Chemical Industries, a pharmaceutical company manufacturing the drug, said yesterday the Luzira-based factory produces 60 million tablets everyday. In Uganda, there are about 3


Breastfeeding dilemma for HIV-Positive Mothers
New Vision (Kampala) - August 11, 2008
Harriette Onyalla and Irene Nabusoba
Kampala - WHAT mother would not want to protect her baby? To hold the tiny bundle that was once safely tacked away in her womb for nine months and shower him with love, knowing that she could put her very life on line for him. But what if the danger is from within? What if she is the danger? Despite research showing th


Uganda: Makerere's DR Katabira Elected IAS Head
New Vision (Kampala) - August 10, 2008
Kampala - DURING the welcome from conference organiser, the International Aids Society (IAS), Dr Elly Katabira from the Makerere Medical School in Kampala, was announced as the new IAS president elect. He will begin his term at the end of the 18th International Aids Conference in 2010. Over 23,000 researchers, policy m


Uganda: Can Uganda Win the War?
New Vision (Kampala) - August 10, 2008
Arthur Baguma
Kampala - WHEN HIV/AIDS was at its worst, the world turned to Uganda for the solution. Consequently Uganda became a role model in the HIV/AIDS fight. However the latest report by the United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) presents a worrying situation about the country s trend of HIV/AIDS prevalence.


Uganda: 'Pupils Need Free Access to Aids Info'
New Vision (Kampala) - August 10, 2008
Egessa Hajusu
Kampala - PRIMARY teachers have been asked to allow pupils easy access to information on HIV/AIDS if the disease is to be prevented among the youth. The deputy principal of Mukuju primary teachers college, Hamilton Masaba, also advised head teachers against locking away information on HIV in libraries. If we are to cha


Uganda: Uganda May Miss Universal Access Deadline
New Vision (Kampala) - August 10, 2008
Angela Hill
Kampala - UGANDA will not reach the world health organisation s deadline for universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care by 2010, says Dr Alex Coutinho, the executive director of the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University. But, Uganda is not alone in this. During the 17th international aid


Uganda: Country Challenged on Aids Treatment
New Vision (Kampala) - August 8, 2008
Angela Hill
Kampala - Uganda will not meet the World Health organisation s deadline for universal access to HIV/Aids prevention, treatment and care by 2010, Dr. Alex Coutinho, the executive director of the Infectious Diseases Institute at Makerere University, has said. During the ongoing 17th International Aids Conference in Mexic


Uganda: Use Sports to Fight Aids, Nabagereka Advises
New Vision (Kampala) - August 7, 2008
Swalley Kenyi
Kampala - THE Nabagereka of Buganda Sylvia Nagginda has advised NGOs to use sports to lure children from the streets and to fight the HIV/AIDS scourge. Nagginda was speaking at a function where a girls team from Bring Children From Streets (BCS) Uganda presented to her a football trophy they won at the Bergen Cup in


Uganda: MPs Want List of Global Fund Debtors
New Vision (Kampala) - July 31, 2008
Joyce Namutebi
Kampala - MPS have demanded for a list of people who have not yet refunded the money for the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, which they allegedly mismanaged. Slightly over sh699m has been recovered from 16 institutions and individuals between April 2006 and January 30, 2008, the state minister for health, Dr.


Uganda: Kapchorwa Anti-Aids Fight Aided
New Vision (Kampala) - July 30, 2008
Rashid Muzungyo
Kampala - A TOTAL of 93 primary schools in Kapchorwa district have received information kits to strengthen the fight against HIV/AIDS among pupils. The kits were designed by the education ministry with financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Deputy head teachers receiv


Uganda: Name Global Fund Debtors, MPs Demand
New Vision (Kampala) - July 30, 2008
Joyce Namutebi
Kampala - LEGISLATORS have demanded the list of people who are yet to refund the money from the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, which they allegedly misused. Health state minister Dr. Richard Nduhuura yesterday told the social services committee that sh699m had been recovered from 16 institutions an


Lives at Risk as Aids NGO Funding Ends
New Vision (Kampala) - July 27, 2008
Elvis Basudde
Kampala - SEVENTY-FIVE year old Rosemary Nabukenya, a widow was lonely and desolate. She often wished she were dead. That all changed when she was taken in by Kitovu Mobile organisation, (KMO), a Masaka-based non-government organisation. She was given palliative care and every week, a volunteer would counsel her. I


Uganda: Mobiles in HIV Testing
New Vision (Kampala) - July 27, 2008
John Kasozi
Kampala - CAN the mobile phone be used to mobilise people for health services? If the results of a six week pilot project held in Mbarara between February and April this year are anything to go by, the answer is yes. The project is a collaboration between the AIDS Information Centre (AIC)and Celtel Uga


Uganda: Janet Museveni Irked By HIV Behavioural Trends
New Vision (Kampala) - July 25, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - The First Lady Janet Museveni has said that Ugandans are abandoning behaviour change as a way to fight HIV, in favour of methods that perpetuate the disease. She said that in the 1980s, Ugandans reduced infection rates by cutting down on the number of their sex partners in favour of zero grazing, abstinence p


Uganda: HIV Crippling Education Sector
New Vision (Kampala) - July 25, 2008
Lydia Namubiru
Kampala - Mr Sendegeeya (not real name) was the only A level literature teacher in his school. For years, he had been battling to continue teaching but his health had now become too frail. He went to the next school, about 20km away, to beg their sole literature teacher to take on his S.6 class. Just take on this one c


Uganda: Wakiso Gets Sh100 Million Literacy Centre
New Vision (Kampala) - July 24, 2008
Nicholas Kajoba
Kampala - The Japanese government has constructed a $64,584 (sh106m) literacy education hall in Nansana township, Wakiso district. The centre that will assist vulnerable orphans and disseminate information on HIV/AIDS, was on Wednesday commissioned by the Japanese ambassador, Keiichi Kato. He commended President Yoweri


Uganda: Iranian 'Aids-Drug' Maker Silent in Court
New Vision (Kampala) - July 24, 2008
Kampala - An Iranian national accused of allegedly manufacturing drugs purported to cure Aids yesterday decided to remain silent in his defense. Elahi Alagholi is facing charges of manufacturing drugs and dispensing them with-out a license from the national drug authority which is mandated to license drug dealers.


Uganda: First Lady to Launch AIDS Film
New Vision (Kampala) - July 22, 2008
Godfrey Kimono
Kampala - THE First Lady will take the HIV/AIDS fight a notch higher, by launching a film aimed at fighting the spread of the virus. The Miss HIV film, slated for today at Cineplex Cinema, Garden City in Kampala, will be launched by Janet Museveni as a new tool to educate the people about the disease that has claimed m


Uganda: HIV Infection Rate High Among Forces
New Vision (Kampala) - July 17, 2008
Rehema Aanyu
Kampala - The rate of new HIV infection is high among the armed forces compared to the civilian population, the director general of the Uganda AIDS Commission has said. Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli noted that the infection rates were two to five times higher among the forces than in the whole population. For every two peop


Uganda: Stay Virgins - Minister
New Vision (Kampala) - July 16, 2008
Francis Kagolo
Kampala - School pupils should take pride in virginity, and shun gifts from sugar daddies and sugar mummies, the state minister for primary education, Peter Lokeris, has advised. AIDS is so dangerous. It does not fear anybody. It kills the educated and businessmen who are able to turn around the development of the coun


Uganda: Shun Sex From Road Builders, Students Told
New Vision (Kampala) - July 16, 2008
Fred Turyakira
Kampala - A renowned AIDS activist has warned students in Mbarara against sleeping with workers reconstructing the Masaka-Mbarara highway, reports Fred Turyakira. Rubaramira Ruranga, who is sub-contracted by Reynolds Construction Company, which is fixing the road, to sensitise the community on the disease, gave the war


Uganda: Youth in HIV Partnership
New Vision (Kampala) - July 15, 2008
Angela Ndagano
Kampala - TEENS Uganda , a student association, has teamed up with the Aids Information Centre to carry out HIV tests at the Makerere University exhibition in the ongoing All Africa University Games. The voluntary tests, which got underway last week, are open to all participants at the event that has drawn over 15 univ


Uganda: Nakivale Refugees to Access ARVs
New Vision (Kampala) - July 13, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - Jean D amour Mborubeize, in his mid-30s, is a Rwandan refugee living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Isingiro district. He fled from Rwanda following the 1994 genocide. A year ago, Mborubeize tested HIV-positive. Today, he and his wife are living positively with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The possibilit


Uganda: Sh500 Million for Aids Work
New Vision (Kampala) - July 10, 2008
Chris Magoba
Kampala - RUKUNGIRI district has received over sh500m from a USAID-funded project to facilitate HIV/AIDS work. Lois Katebire, the southwestern regional director for the Uganda Programme for Human and Holistic Development, said they would disburse the funds over a four-year period. The money would be used to train h


Uganda: Country to Buy ARVs From Uganda
New Vision (Kampala) - July 8, 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala - His Majesty King Mswati III of Swaziland , who is on a four-day state visit, yesterday toured the new anti-AIDS and anti-malaria drug plant in Luzira, Kampala. Swazi foreign affairs minister Moses Mathedelene said the Swazi government would initially buy drugs from Uganda w


Uganda: Swaziland to Buy ARVs From Country
New Vision (Kampala) - July 8, 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala - King Mswati and President Museveni listen to Dr. Sam Opio, who is in charge of production, during their tour of the ARV factory in Luzira HIS Majesty King Mswati III of Swaziland , who is on a four-day state visit, yesterday toured the new anti-AIDS and anti-malaria drug plant in Luzira, Kampala. Swazi fo


Uganda: Buloba SS Students in Anti-HIV Fight
New Vision (Kampala) - July 8, 2008
Samuel Balagadde
Kampala - BULOBA SS students have joined other institutions and individuals in the fight against HIV/AIDS through drama that portrays cultural practices that have fuelled sexual immorality. Students performed different cultural dances that included the Gisu from the eastern region, which they said has lured many youth


Uganda: King Mswati Visits Jinja
New Vision (Kampala) - July 7, 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala - King Mswati III of the Kingdom of Swaziland was amazed by the story of the spirits believed to be in River Nile when he visited Bujagali Falls in Jinja district yesterday. He occasionally smiled at the answers the labour state minister, Lukia Nakadama, and a tour guide gave him about the story behind the name


Uganda: King Mswati Arrives
New Vision (Kampala) - July 5, 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala - HIS Majesty King Mswati III of Swaziland arrives in Uganda on Sunday for a four-day state visit. The Swaziland head of state is slated to arrive at 6:00pm, accompanied by one of his wives and 30 government officials. President Yoweri Museveni is scheduled to officially receive him at State House Entebbe and h


Uganda: Lack of Political Will Hinders Family Planning
New Vision (Kampala) - July 5, 2008
A. Bugembe
Kampala - LACK of political will is affecting the promotion of family planning in Uganda , a family planning expert has said. The Government has not uniformly and consistently supported family planning. It should clearly pronounce itself on the practice like it has done on HIV/AIDS and immunisation, said Elly Mugumya,


Uganda: MP Tells Men to Circumcise
New Vision (Kampala) - June 30, 2008
Chris Ahimbisibwe
Kampala - THE chairman of the parliamentary HIV/AIDS committee has appealed to men to embrace circumcision to reduce the risk of contracting the virus. There is nothing to lose when you remove the fore skin of the penis. Men who are not circumcised are more prone to HIV/AIDS, Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye said on Saturday.


Uganda: Judge Calls for Tough Law On HIV/Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - June 29, 2008
Alfred Byenkya
Kampala - A spouse who knowingly conceals his or her HIV/AIDS status and infects the partner should be prosecuted, a High Court judge has suggested. During a workshop for judges and magistrates at Pauline Hotel in Lira recently, Justice David Wangutusi said the sentence for such people should be harsh to deter other li


Uganda: HIV/Aids is Hindering Growth of the African Child
New Vision (Kampala) - June 29, 2008
Alfred Byenkya
Kampala - IVAN Birunda, a 12-year-old orphan living in the slums of Katwe in Kampala, lost his father to Aids in 2002. After the death of his father, his lifestyle deteriorated and he could not get the basic necessities of life, so he dropped out of school. However, a local NGO, which looks after orphans sponsored me t


OPINION: Uganda: I Stand By a Balanced ABC Approach to HIV/Aids Fight
New Vision (Kampala) - June 25, 2008
Janet Museveni
Kampala - John Nagenda s column in Saturday Vision of June 21, titled Serenade for two ladies, has made it necessary for me to clarify the remarks I recently made when I was addressing the HIV/AIDS Implementers Conference which took place in Kampala a week or two ago. Nagenda is right in saying I stand unflinchingly by


INTERVIEW: Uganda: No Letter in ABC Strategy is an Independent Solution to HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - June 22, 2008
Arthur Baguma
Kampala - In 2004, the President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a five-year global HIV/AIDS strategy was inaugurated. Arthur Baguma talked to Ambassador Mark R. Dybul, the Coordinator for the fund, on the progress, especially in Uganda . It is four years since PEPFAR was launched in Uganda, are you happy wi


Uganda: Charles Mbire Joins Global AIDS Council
New Vision (Kampala) - June 18, 2008
Ibrahim Kasita
Kampala - MTN Uganda chairman, Charles Mbire, has been appointed a member of the World Economic Forum s Global Agenda Council on HIV/AIDS. The council, which consists of 30 of the most knowledgeable and relevant personalities on HIV/AIDS, is integrated into the Network of Global Agenda Councils. It addresses all crucia


Uganda: Psychiatrist Calls for HIV Law
New Vision (Kampala) - June 16, 2008
Anne Mugisa And Angella Asiimire
Kampala - THE Government should come up with a law that compels doctors to reveal the HIV status of adults to their sexual partners, a psychiatrist consultant, Dr. Margaret Mungherera, has suggested. We need a law on HIV/AIDS if the problem is to be dealt with seriously, Mungherera said during a press conference in Kam


Uganda: 360 Dokolo Sorghum Farmers Test for HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - June 16, 2008
Kampala - OVER 1,500 sorghum farmers in Dokolo district turned up at Adok health centre to test for HIV/AIDS and other ailments. Chris Kiwawulo reports that this was during a health fair organised by Nile Breweries. A statement from the company, said 362 farmers voluntarily tested for HIV/AIDS. Sixty two farmers were f


Uganda: Health Plan for Kids Launched
New Vision (Kampala) - June 15, 2008
Anne Mugisa and Juliet Waiswa
Kampala - ELIZABETH Glaser AIDS Foundation, an American agency, has launched a programme to care for children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Uganda . Through the Ariel Children s Clubs, activities aimed at improving the lives of infected children and those living with infected parents will be carried out. The


OPINION: Uganda: ARV Clinics May Put People With HIV At Risk of Catching TB
New Vision (Kampala) - June 15, 2008
Kampala - LAST Monday, for the first-time, the Government, public health and business leaders, heads of United Nations agencies and advocates met at the UN headquarters to acknowledge HIV/TB as an urgent priority. The first HIV/TB Global Leaders Forum was convened by Dr Jorge Sampaio, the UN Secretary General s special


Uganda: Nagginda Urges Women On Incomes
New Vision (Kampala) - June 15, 2008
Flavia Nakagwa
Kampala - WOMEN should work towards creating income-generating activities, Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda has advised. Touring Mildmay Centre in Kampala last week, Nagginda said women were the pillar of development, adding that a nation s well-being depended them. The centre, located on Entebbe Road, provides HIV/AIDS serv


Uganda: Mutyaba Gave His Face to Fight Cross-Generational Sex
New Vision (Kampala) - June 15, 2008
Pidson Kareire
Kampala - IN its fight against HIV/AIDS among the youth, the Population Services International launched a campaign against cross-generational sex. This was after finding out that many young girls were getting infected with HIV/AIDS by much older men. John Mutyaba is one of the models used in the campaign. He talked to


Uganda: LCs Urged to Mobilise Residents for HIV Testing
New Vision (Kampala) - June 11, 2008
Charles Jjuuko
Kampala - KAYUNGA district director of health services, Dr. Edris Musisi, has appealed to councillors to mobilise people in their sub-counties for a home-to-home HIV testing and counselling programme. The district health department launched the programme recently. Musisi made the appeal during an HIV testing and preven


Uganda: Balunya Demands HIV Centres for Children
New Vision (Kampala) - June 11, 2008
Charles Kakamwa
Kampala - BUSOGA Kingdom prime minister Wasswa Balunywa has asked people involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS to set up centres to cater for children living with HIV/AIDS in each town. Addressing residents of Buwenge town in Jinja recently, Balunywa noted that the centres would enable the beneficiaries access treatme


EDITORIAL: Uganda: Minorities Matter a Lot in Aids Fight
New Vision (Kampala) - June 9, 2008
Kampala - The director general of the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli, has observed that the gay community in the country should not be neglected while designing anti-HIV/ AIDS strategies. Kihumuro s advice should be taken seriously. Uganda s success in the fight against HIV/AIDS is attributed to its openne


Uganda: TB Cases Neglected, Warn Researchers
New Vision (Kampala) - June 9, 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala - TB/HIV infection control activities in Uganda are poor or non-existent, a joint research by the International Union against TB and the health ministry has said, reports Barbara Among. The research carried out in 26 districts showed that 40% of health facilities at lower levels did not have a medical officer t


Why is Aids On the Rise Despite Increased Funding?
New Vision (Kampala) - June 9, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - THE HIV implementers meeting that ended on Saturday in Kampala had all the trappings of big money: rich donors like the US government, the Global Fund and the World Bank, 1,700 participants, media from around the world, the luxurious surroundings of two expensive hotels and a stunning menu of well-funded rese


Uganda: Clergy Make Their Case
New Vision (Kampala) - June 9, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - THE role of churches and other religious groups in fighting HIV/AIDS should not be undermined, an official has said. Religious leaders are good role models. In addition to contributing to the spiritual growth of worshippers, some have declared their positive status as a means of helping society fight stigma,


Uganda: More Sex Workers Contract HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - June 8, 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala - THE rate at which HIV/AIDS is spread among sex workers has increased from 24% to 48% over the last five years, according to the head of the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr. David Kihumuro Apuuli. The rapid increase in cases of new HIV infections is because the trade is illegal and there is low self-protective beha


Uganda: HIV/Aids Show Wins Award
New Vision (Kampala) - June 8, 2008
Francis Kagolo
Kampala - THE Good Life campaign against HIV/AIDS last week won an award for the best social marketing strategy at the AfriComNet annual awards, reports Francis Kagolo. The campaign, which is produced by the Uganda Health Marketing Group, was initiated in 2007 due to the inefficiency of HIV/AIDS messages in the country


Uganda: 4 New Methods of Preventing HIV Transmision By Mothers
New Vision (Kampala) - June 8, 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala - In a bid to reduce the growing rate of HIV/AIDS transmission from mother-to-child (PMTCT), a group of health organisations has developed four new prevention models for use in rural areas. The models use HIV testing and counselling at antenatal clinics as the entry point for helping prevent mother-to-child tra


Uganda: Local NGOs Want Increased Funding
New Vision (Kampala) - June 8, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - WESTERN donors should not give more funds to international HIV/AIDS non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Africa at the expense of locally-owned NGOs carrying out similar interventions. An African official wants donor agencies to redirect more support to local African NGOs. Agnes Binagwaho, the e


Uganda: First Lady Roots for Condoms
New Vision (Kampala) - June 8, 2008
A. Bugembe, B. Among and R. Baguma
Kampala - The First Lady, Janet Museveni, has called for increased use of condoms by couples due to the recent surge in the number of new infections among married couples. A recent research by the Uganda AIDS Commission revealed that the rate of new infections among the married stood at 42%, compared to less than 30% f


Uganda: Focus On Prevention - Activists
New Vision (Kampala) - June 8, 2008
Kampala - THE Global HIV/AIDS implementers meeting ended on Saturday in Kampala with a call on governments and international partners to refocus on the prevention of the epidemic. Much of the funding has been going to the treatment of the disease. Let us carry the new ideas back to our countries and make careful and ev


Uganda: US Aids Fund Honours Janet
New Vision (Kampala) - June 7, 2008
Milton Olupot
Kampala - Children AIDS Fund, a US-based organisation has honoured the First Lady, Janet Museveni, for her outstanding contribution to the struggle against HIV/AIDS. Mrs. Museveni received the commendation last Thursday from the fund s vice-president, Shephers Smith at Serena Kampala Hotel. Smith said Mrs. Museveni s e


Uganda: Utilize Skills of People Living With Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - June 6, 2008
Kampala - POOR countries affected by the AIDS have been advised to offer skills training to people living with HIV/AIDS to fill manpower gaps in the health sector, writes Vision reporter. Dr. Alex Coutinho, the director of the Infectious Diseases Institute at Mulago Hospital, said people living with HIV/AIDS can be tra


Uganda: HIV Infection Highest in Marriage
New Vision (Kampala) - June 6, 2008
Ben Okiror
Kampala - TWO thirds of the people who become infected with HIV in Uganda are married men and women, according to a status report presented to Parliament last World AIDS Day. Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, who presented the report, says many of these become infected as a result of extra-marital affairs. Others become infected


Uganda: Global Fund to Release Funds in October
New Vision (Kampala) - June 6, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - THE Global Fund is to launch Round 9 funding for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria in October, according to an announcement by the fund made on Wednesday. Round 8 which was launched in March this year. Rajat Gupta, Global Fund s board chairman, said donors had provided more than $3b for additional programmes for 2008


Uganda: Support Hiv+ Volunteers
New Vision (Kampala) - June 6, 2008
Kampala - THE global HIV implementers meeting in Kampala this week heard that TASO is now deploying people living with HIV to provide basic care to their peers. This is a welcome development. Ideally, caring for patients is the job of medical professionals. However, Uganda has less than 4,000 doctors, backed by less th


Uganda: Donors Could Buy ARVs From Country
New Vision (Kampala) - June 6, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - THE Global Fund (GF) will consider buying ARVs manufactured in Uganda if they are affordable and meet approved standards. The executive director of the Global Fund Against AIDS, TB and Malaria, Michel Kazatchkline, said: As a donor, what I am ready to fund is the cheapest drug available, which is of quality.


Uganda: UNAIDS Official Pleads for Homosexuals
New Vision (Kampala) - June 6, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - A SENIOR HIV/AIDS expert has urged the Government to release three gay activists arrested by security operatives during the HIV Implementers meeting in Kampala. Dr. Michel Sidibe, the deputy executive director of UNAIDS , said the incident might overshadow Uganda s HIV/AIDS achievements. We have received


Uganda: U.S. Presidential AIDS Plan Extended
New Vision (Kampala) - June 5, 2008
Arthur Baguma
Kampala - THE US President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief will be extended, reports Arthur Baguma. The US global AIDS coordinator, ambassador Mark Dybul, told The New Vision recently that plans were underway to extend the five-year programme, which was expiring next year. President George Bush is calling for renewal


Uganda: AIDS a Security Threat - Lt. Gen Katumba
New Vision (Kampala) - June 5, 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala - HIV/AIDS is one of the major security threats, the commander of the Land Forces, Gen. Katumba Wamala, has said. He told delegates at the HIV/AIDS implementers conference in Kampala yesterday, that to the military, the disease was not a medical issue but a security concern. A combat enemy is easy to deal with.


Uganda: AIDS Drug Made for Rural Women
New Vision (Kampala) - June 5, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - THE US Centres for Disease Control has developed a home-delivery package of Nevirapine to boost chances of safe birth for pregnant HIV-positive women in rural areas. The pilot programme carried out in Tororo district aims at increasing the chances of safe delivery and reducing mother-to-child transmission of


Uganda: UNAIDS Boss Hails Janet On AIDS Fight
New Vision (Kampala) - June 5, 2008
Kampala - THE deputy executive director of UNAIDS , Michel Sidibe, has commended Janet Museveni, wife of the President, for her outstanding contribution to the struggle against HIV/AIDS in Uganda and globally. Meeting Mrs. Museveni on Wednesday at State House Nakasero, Sidibe praised her message to the youth on the ABC


Uganda: Pro-Gay Activists Arrested At Aids Meet
New Vision (Kampala) - June 4, 2008
Arthur Baguma And Patrick Ogwang
Kampala - GAY rights demonstrators beat security and sneaked into the venue of a global HIV/AIDS meeting at the Imperial Royale Hotel yesterday but ended up under Police arrest. A woman and two men beat the security detail and sneaked with placards and a 67-page document soliciting for funding of their activities in


Uganda: Aids Body Chief Roots for Gays
New Vision (Kampala) - June 4, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - THE gay community in the country should not be neglected while designing anti-HIV/AIDS strategies, the director general of the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli, has said. It is true that research was done among gays and the trend is common in young people. We need to address the gay issue, but they


Uganda: UNAIDS, Global Fund Sign New Pact
New Vision (Kampala) - June 4, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - THE United Nations Programme on AIDS ( UNAIDS ) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Global Fund, renewing their commitment to fight the pandemic. We are starting a new phase in the fight against AIDS, said Dr. Peter Piot, the UNAIDS executive director. The agreement, signed on Tuesday in Kampa


Uganda: Use Funds Properly - Aids Activists
New Vision (Kampala) - June 4, 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala - REDIRECT funding to strategies that have proven most effective in the fight against HIV/AIDS, activists told governments yesterday. This was during the Global HIV/AIDS implementers meeting in Kampala. They also want policy makers to cater for the vulnerable groups so as to win the war against the pandemic.


Uganda: 15,000 Volunteers Receive HIV/Aids Training
New Vision (Kampala) - June 4, 2008
Ayiga Ondoga
Kampala - OVER 15,000 volunteers have been trained to sensitise the masses about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, reports Ayiga Ondoga. The initiative undertaken by the Uganda Youth Empowerment Alliance is a five-year project being implemented in 10 districts countrywide. It is funded by the US government to the tune of $1m (s


Uganda: Museveni Questions Donor Aid Conditions
New Vision (Kampala) - June 3, 2008
Raymond Baguma And Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has criticised donors for setting stringent regulations to guide recipient countries during the procurement of HIV/AIDS drugs. He gave an example of Uganda which has constructed an ARV manufacturing factory, which will be making ARVs, malaria drugs and other anti-biotic drugs. W


Uganda: MP Wants Aids Drugs in Villages
New Vision (Kampala) - June 3, 2008
Chris Ocowun
Kampala - ANTI-RETROVIRAL drugs should be made available at health units in the villages to save residents from travelling long distances to the main hospitals. The Gulu district Woman MP, Betty Aol Ocan, made the appeal at the weekend while touring Palaro health centre. She asked the health ministry and other stakehol


Uganda: Budaka Gets Children's ARV Unit
New Vision (Kampala) - June 3, 2008
Daniel Edyegu
Kampala - BUDAKA health centre has set up an anti-retroviral treatment unit for children below 15 years. The officer in charge of the centre, Sam Watega, said on Saturday the anti-retroviral drugs were provided by Baylor College of Medicine Children s Foundation, a charity providing care and treatment to children livin


Uganda: Country Hosts Global AIDS Meeting
New Vision (Kampala) - June 1, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni is tomorrow expected to open the second global HIV/AIDS implementers meeting at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala. The event, whose theme is Scaling Up Through Partnerships: Overcoming Obstacles to Implementation , will bring together over 700 delegates from non-governmental organ


Uganda: New HIV Infections Drop in Sub-Saharan Africa
New Vision (Kampala) - June 1, 2008
Fred Ouma
Kampala - AROUND the world, more than 6,800 people become infected with HIV every day, and more than 5,700 die from AIDS daily mostly because of inadequate access to HIV prevention and treatment services. The joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2007 report estim


Uganda: Country Hosts World HIV/AIDS Implementers' Meeting
New Vision (Kampala) - June 1, 2008
Fred Ouma and Raymond Baguma
Kampala - THE second HIV Implementers meeting gets underway at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala tomorrow till Saturday. The first was held in Kigali Rwanda last year. The conference will be held under the theme: Scaling up through Partnerships: Overcoming Obstacles to Implementation, recognising the rapid expansion


Uganda: AIDS Bodies Get Sh10.5b
New Vision (Kampala) - May 30, 2008
Anne Mugisa
Kampala - Thirty-one community based organisations have received sh10.5b out of the sh47b channeled by donors through the newly created Civil Society Fund for HIV/AIDS activities. The fund was set up to help civil society organisations access money. The Global Fund will also channel money through the fund since the Pro


Uganda: Demand for AIDS Drugs Shoots Up
New Vision (Kampala) - May 29, 2008
Fred Ouma and Juliet Waiswa
Kampala - THE number of people living with HIV/AIDS in need of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has shot up. Dr. Elizabeth Namagala, a coordinator in the health ministry, recently told journalists in Kampala that the number of people in need of the drugs had risen from about 225,000 in 2006 to 312,000 today. On average, 1


Uganda: Activists Blame AIDS Spread On Rights Abuses
New Vision (Kampala) - May 28, 2008
Fred Ouma and Raymond Baguma
Kampala - VIOLATING the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS is a major factor fuelling the spread of the disease in Uganda , activists have said. They noted that efforts should be made to address stigma and discrimination against people living positively to control more infections. The activists also condemned th


Uganda: AIDS Service Charity Wins Global Award
New Vision (Kampala) - May 28, 2008
Josephine Maseruka
Kampala - MAMA S Club, a Ugandan community-based organisation helping people living with HIV/AIDS, has emerged one of the best 25 groups of the Red Ribbon for 2008. The Red Ribbon is a symbol of readiness to fight the pandemic. As a result, Dr. Lydia Mungherera, an activist who founded Mama s Club in 2003, will be one


Local Loses HIV Case in UK
New Vision (Kampala) - May 27, 2008
An HIV-positive Ugandan woman s claim to stay in the UK has been rejected by the European Court of Human Rights. Her lawyers had argued that lack of medical care in Uganda would lead to her early death, and this would amount to cruel and degrading treatment. The court agreed that if she was sent back home, there would


Uganda: Organisations to Benefit From New Sh47b Aids Fund
New Vision (Kampala) - May 27, 2008
Anne Mugisa
CIVIL society organisations undertaking HIV/AIDS activities have got a boost. Donors have set up a new $28.7m (about sh47b) fund in Uganda from which the organisations will access money. The director general of the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr. Kihuumuro Apuuli, announced the initiative yesterday at a press conference in


Uganda: 4,000 Might Miss ARVs for Lack of Funds
New Vision (Kampala) - May 27, 2008
Dismus Buregyeya
Kitovu Mobile AIDS Organisation, a Masaka-based charity, is to close down because it lacks sh2b required to sustain over 4,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and 22,000 orphans. The NGO, which also covers Rakai, Sembabule and Lyantonde, was set up 20 years ago when the HIV/AIDS pandemic was reported in the area. The direc


Uganda: Circumcised Men Warned On Early Sex
New Vision (Kampala) - May 27, 2008
Juliet Waiswa And Fred Ouma
Circumcised men who have sex before they fully heal are at a higher risk of catching HIV/AIDS, health experts have warned. he experts say the practice would render circumcision, which is seen as an additional strategy of fighting HIV/AIDS, useless. The other methods are abstinence, faithfulness and using condoms. Some


Uganda: Men Shun HIV Treatment
New Vision (Kampala) - May 26, 2008
Esther Mukyala
At least 65% of The Aids Support Organisation (TASO) clients in Jinja are females, the manager, Sarah Hanakwa, has said. She noted that many men living with HIV/AIDS shy away from receiving treatment for fear of stigmatisation. Everybody must be involved in the fight against AIDS. We have to carry out massive sensitisa


Uganda: Brig. Kankiriho Tips Karimojong On HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - May 25, 2008
Daniel Edyegu
Kampala - THE 3rd Division commander, Brig. Patrick Kankiriho, has warned Karimojong warriors against engaging in reckless sexual behavior that would put them at risk of contracting the HIV/AIDS virus. Kankiriho said whereas Karamoja stood out as a model area in the fight against the disease in the 80 s, the prevalence


Uganda: Mass HIV Testing - Will It Curb New Infections?
New Vision (Kampala) - May 25, 2008
Joseph Kariuki
Kampala - HIV prevalence rates are stagnating or even edging up slightly and health officials are taking a new look at controlling the scourge. Advocates point to Cuba , where a combination of universal testing and aggressive early treatment has brought prevalence down to 0.1%, compared to 6.4% in


Uganda: ARVs Fuelling Promiscuity
New Vision (Kampala) - May 24, 2008
Chris Kiwawulo
Kampala - THE coming of antiretroviral drugs into the country has cast aside the fear of HIV/AIDS, making Ugandans resume their old ways of promiscuity, the First Lady has noted. Janet Museveni reiterated her campaign for abstinence, which she said some sections of the media and commercial interests have always castiga


Uganda: Expert Praises Country On HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - May 23, 2008
Hilary Bainemigisha
Kampala - UGANDA is one of the leading HIV vaccine research countries in the world and the quality of work done is to global standards, the executive director of Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise said. Dr Allan Bernstein was in the country to familiarise himself with the work done in the vaccine area. He arrived on May 19


Uganda: Country to Harmonise Messages On HIV/AIDS
New Vision (Kampala) - May 21, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - THE Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) has drafted a national strategy to streamline the communication of HIV/AIDS messages to the public. The director general, Dr. Kihumuro-Apuuli, said: Not all stakeholders in HIV/AIDS give the same message. Other people think that ARVs are a cure for HIV. Others think that circu


Uganda: Test Kids for HIV - Medic
New Vision (Kampala) - May 18, 2008
Joseph Kariuki
Kampala - THE Joint Clinical Research Centre has urged parents to test their children for HIV, saying it is important for to safeguard their lives. Dr. Victor Musiime, the head of pediatrics, said out of 50,000 children eligible to take AIDS drugs, only 12,000 access the treatment. In Uganda , 25,000 babies


Uganda: Luweero Gets Sh80 Million for Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - May 14, 2008
Frederick Kiwanuka
Kampala - PEOPLE living with HIV/AIDS in Luweero district have reason for hope. The International HIV/AIDS Alliance has given the district sh83m to help residents living with the virus start income generating projects, access anti-retroviral drugs and improve health care. The country director of the alliance, Milly Kat


Uganda: Charities to Reduce Infections Among People Living With HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - May 11, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - AT least 30 organisations involved in providing care and support for HIV/AIDS patients have renewed their commitment to reducing infections among such people. When we opened Mildmay Centre in 1998, over 80% of the patients were being disturbed by diarrhoea and malaria. This has reduced as a result of the basi


Uganda: 6 Percent of Moyo People Test for HIV
New Vision (Kampala) - May 6, 2008
Dradenya Amazia
Kampala - ONLY 6% of the people in Moyo district know their HIVā-ąstatus, according to a health official. The district AIDS focal person, Dr. Franklin Iddi, said out 270,000 people, only 16,200 had tested for the AIDSā-ąvirus since the voluntary counselling and testing services were launched in the area in September 20


Uganda: Kayunga Kids Forced Into Sex
New Vision (Kampala) - May 5, 2008
Charles Jjuuko
Kampala - CHILDREN in Kayunga district become sexually active as early as eight years of age, the district director of health services has said. Dr. Edris Musisi noted that because of poverty, many parents force their young daughters into illegal unions with older men with the hope that the men would provide them with


Uganda: She Fights HIV/Aids With Her Painting Brush
New Vision (Kampala) - May 5, 2008
Elvis Basudde
Kampala - She is determined to fight HIV/AIDS and stigmatisation using what she knows best - art. Those who attended her presentation at Makerere University Senate Building in March were mesmerised by her sculptures. They are peculiar, bold, beautiful, sensitive and at the same time humorous. This is Dr. Lillian Nabuli


Mukono AIDS counsellors get sh52m
New Vision (Kampala) - May 5, 2008
Alex Bukumunhe
HIV/AIDS testing and counselling volunteers in Mukono district have received assistance worth sh52m to enhance their activities. A total of 48 volunteers living positively with HIV, known as Network Support Agents, carry out door-to-door counselling, mobilising and sharing information about HIV. The assistance included


Children lack AIDS treatment
New Vision (Kampala) - May 5, 2008
Charles Ariko
MAJORITY of the children born with HIV/AIDS cannot access anti-retroviral treatment resulting in their early death, a health expert has said. Dr. Wilfred Ochan Lokol, the head of strategic planning with the Baylor College of Medicine (Children s Foundation), said: These children s lifespan is about three years if they


Uganda: 'Population Pressure Affecting Aids Fight'
New Vision (Kampala) - April 29, 2008
Anne Mugisa
Kampala - UGANDA S rapid population growth is making it hard for the country to effectively fight the spread of HIV/AIDS, according to the AIDS commission. The director general, Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli, yesterday explained that mother-to-child transmission accounted for 22% of new infections. He said 25% of the babies born


Uganda: Truck Drivers Top HIV List - Study
New Vision (Kampala) - April 28, 2008
Flavia Nakagwa
Kampala - TRUCK drivers are the main agents in spreading HIV in East Africa, a study has shown. The research carried out by Prevention and Care Project, a Kenyan-based NGO, established that truck drivers had the highest HIV prevalence rate in the region. Dr. Alan Ferguson, an official, said the long-distance drivers we


Uganda: Kayunga, Mukono Get HIV Machine
New Vision (Kampala) - April 28, 2008
Alex Bukumunhe
Kampala - PEOPLE living with HIV/AIDS in Mukono and Kayunga districts will no longer have to travel to Kampala to know their level of immunity A CD4 count machine - used for testing the ability of an HIV-positive person s body to resist opportunistic infections - has been installed in the area. It can also test blood f


Uganda: Aids Project Targets Vendors
New Vision (Kampala) - April 27, 2008
Flavia Nakagwa
Kampala - More market vendors living with HIV/AIDS can access free HIV services thanks to the Market Vendors AIDS Project. The charity has expanded its outreach programme from three markets to 12 more in Kampala and Mukono districts. Founded by Angelina Wapakhabulo, it aims at educating, counselling, testing and treati


Uganda: 1,360 Kamwenge Residents Attend Hima AIDS Clinic
New Vision (Kampala) - April 24, 2008
Kampala - Over 1,360 residents of Kamwenge have received free testing for HIV/AIDS and treatment for opportunistic illnesses during a camp organised by Hima Cement, writes Vision Reporter. They also received voluntary counselling and testing services at Rwamwanja Secondary School. The clinic, which was held on April 16


Uganda: 7.5 Million Ugandans Living in Poverty
New Vision (Kampala) - April 24, 2008
Patrick Jaramogi
Kampala - At least 7.5 million Ugandans live in chronic poverty, a minister has said. State minister for disabilities Suleiman Madada also said the majority of the population still lacked access to safe and clean water, health and education services. Madada, who was addressing editors during a breakfast meeting at Impe


Uganda: Government Budgets Sh60b AIDS Drugs
New Vision (Kampala) - April 23, 2008
Joyce Namutebi
Kampala - THE Government has budgeted an additional sh60b to buy anti-retroviral (ARVs) and malaria drugs in the 2008/09 financial year, Parliament heard yesterday. Dr. George Bagambisa of the Ministry of Health said this was the first time the Government was buying such drugs to sustain their availability. Bagambisa a


Uganda: Mayors Join Hands Against HIV/Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - April 20, 2008
Madiinah Sebyala
Kampala - TOWN clerks and Mayors under their umbrella Alliance of Mayors and Municipal Leaders have expressed concern over the increasing sexual immorality in the city centre and other communities that has accelerated spread of HIV/AIDS. During their annual general workshop at Jokas Hotel in Bweyogerere, the officials


Uganda: Clean Water Essential for People Living With Aids
New Vision (Kampala) - April 20, 2008
Aidah Nanyonjo
Kampala - LACK of clean water increases the risk of diarrhoea among people living with HIV/AIDS, the executive director of the Uganda Water and Sanitation Network, John Byarugaba, has said. The immuno-compromised status of people living with HIV/AIDS renders them more susceptible to opportunistic infections, including


Uganda: Govt Warns Medics On Service Delivery
New Vision (Kampala) - April 20, 2008
Donald Kiirya
Kampala - GOVERNMENT health workers who refuse to treat HIV/AIDS patients will be dismissed, the Jinja chief administrative officer has warned. Okiror Iporotum said he had received reports of health workers in rural areas denying services to the HIV patients yet every person has a right to enjoy the free medical care i


Uganda: Help HIV-Positive School Children
New Vision (Kampala) - April 15, 2008
Kampala - HIV-POSITIVE students need special attention. Research shows that 12,000 children in Gulu and Amuru districts are HIV-positive, a very worrying trend. One, they face high chances of infection from older people who offer them trivial gifts. Even their teachers have been reported to prey on them, from levels as


Uganda: Battling HIV Stigma in Gulu Schools
New Vision (Kampala) - April 15, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - THE War-torn Gulu and Amuru districts have about 27,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and a prevalence rate of 8.2%. Of these, 12,000 are children, writes Raymond Baguma JANE Acana, (not real name) 17, was in primary school in 2003, when she tested positive to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. When Acan sat for


Uganda: MPs Okay Sh8b for AIDS Firm
New Vision (Kampala) - April 15, 2008
Barbara Among
Kampala MEMBERS of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has endorsed the Government s guarantee of $4.8m (sh8b) for the anti-retroviral (ARV) drug factory based in Luzira. The $38m (sh64.6b) factory owned by Quality Chemicals Industries was set up in October 2007 to produce ARVs for the African market. At its c


Uganda: Muk Starts Students' HIV Project
New Vision (Kampala) - April 14, 2008
Eddie Ssejjoba
Kampala - Makerere University has launched a programme to support HIV positive students and lecturers. The Positive Futures project will provide counselling and free medical care to its beneficiaries. Speaking at the launch on Saturday, the deputy dean of students, Winfred Mbuga, said the project was funded by the Cent


Uganda: Hima to Provide AIDS Clinic
New Vision (Kampala) - April 14, 2008
Kampala - RESIDENTS of Rukunyu village in Kamwenge will benefit from a two-day HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) clinic provided by Hima. The clinic, which will be be held on April 16 and 17, is aimed at sensitising the locals about the importance of VCT as an important step in the fight against HIV/AIDS


Uganda: NGOs Warned Against Duplicating Services
New Vision (Kampala) - April 13, 2008
Charles Jjuuko
Kampala - THE acting Kayunga district LC5 chairman, Boniface Bandikubi, has warned non-governmental organisations against duplicating services, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Bandikubi made the warning on Friday at Kayunga Hospital playground while presiding over the launch of Childhealth Advocacy Internatio


NGOs warned against duplicating services
New Vision (Kampala) - April 13, 2008
Charles Jjuuko
THE acting Kayunga district LC5 chairman, Boniface Bandikubi, has warned non-governmental organisations against duplicating services, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Bandikubi made the warning on Friday at Kayunga Hospital playground while presiding over the launch of Childhealth Advocacy International, a non


17 million mosquito nets to be distributed
New Vision (Kampala) - April 13, 2008
Anthony Bugembe and John Omoding
The Government will distribute over 17 million free mosquito nets, the health minister has said. Dr. Stephen Mallinga said malaria was still a big problem in spite of several government interventions. Malaria is responsible for 30-50% of outpatient attendances at health facilities, 20% of in-patient admissions and 9-14


Uganda: Aids Policy Ignores Children - Study
New Vision (Kampala) - April 8, 2008
Anthony Bugembe
Kampala - POLICIES on HIV/AIDS overlook younger children, a new study has revealed. The study on the impact of HIV/AIDS on early childhood development and the implications to the Ugandan economy was released on Wednesday. It calls for an increase in policies and programmes to address children under eight years. With


Uganda: Start Door-to-Door HIV Testing - MP
New Vision (Kampala) - April 6, 2008
Kampala - The chairperson of the parliamentary committee on HIV/AIDS Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye has advised the AIDS information centre to start door to door HIV/AIDS testing to enable a bigger population know their sero status. Tumwesigye (Sheema north MP) was presiding over the 4th annual general meeting for AIDS informat


Mmiro Dreamt of Finding an Aids Cure
New Vision (Kampala) - April 6, 2008
Francis Kagolo
Kampala - IN a profession where many practitioners fly out for greener pastures at the slightest opportunity, he remained steadfast, resisting temptation for wealth that would have seen him render his meticulous service to another nation. Prof. Francis Mmiro opted to serve his own people in a field that has plagued the


Uganda: Children Miss Out On Drugs
New Vision (Kampala) - April 6, 2008
Carol Natukunda
Kampala - A BOY, no older than 14, addresses a conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo, Kampala. He moves with poise as he tries to inspire participants, most of them much older than him, to believe in children. They listen with rapt attention. Perhaps it is because of the pain with which this young boy speaks-asking the a


Uganda: TB Chief Tips On Infections
New Vision (Kampala) - April 1, 2008
Joseph Wanzusi
Kampala - POOR health facilities in the country have led to a rise in tuberculosis infection, a senior health official has observed. The chief of party of the Tuberculosis Control Assistance Programme, Dr. Anna Nakanwagi-Mukwaya, cited congested patients rooms and ill-equipped laboratories. The other factors, she noted


Uganda: Country Lagging Behind in Sex Education
New Vision (Kampala) - April 1, 2008
Alice Emasu And Irene Nabusoba
Kampala - WHEN should sex education be introduced in schools? How much of it and in what form should it be delivered? This was the heated debate that remained unresolved by world population and reproductive health experts recently. However, new findings have shown that in Africa and particularly Uganda


Uganda: 'Africa's Aids Disaster Could Have Been Avoided'
New Vision (Kampala) - March 31, 2008
Anthony Bugembe, Raymond Baguma and Esther Kyabaki
Kampala - PROF. Peter Mugyenyi, the executive director of the Joint Clinical Research Centre, has attacked pharmaceutical companies in the west for deliberately causing the death of Africans living with HIV/AIDS. According to Mugyenyi, western countries deliberately delay to provide life-saving anti-retroviral drugs at


Uganda: HIV Drug Researcher Mmiro Dead
New Vision (Kampala) - March 31, 2008
Francis Kagolo
Kampala - GRIEF and weeping yesterday covered Christ the King Church in Kampala as mourners prayed for a senior HIV/AIDS consultant, Prof. Francis Mmiro. A specialist in obstetrics and gynaecology, Mmiro, 74, died of cancer of the pancreas on Friday at Mulago Hospital. Edward Ssekandi, the Speaker of Parliament, descri


Uganda: First Lady Warns On HIV Spread
New Vision (Kampala) - March 30, 2008
Raymond Baguma
Kampala - THE First Lady, Janet Museveni has urged Ugandans to deliver a knock-out blow to HIV/AIDS by reducing the prevalence rate from the current 6% to zero. She said it was frustrating that hundreds of people continue to contract HIV/AIDS when its means of transmission are well-known and easy to prevent. Mrs. Musev


The Butcher Who Turned His Knife Against AIDS
New Vision