HIV/AIDS Champions started committed amid US aid cuts.
By Solomon Lubambula
Buganda Kingdom’s Katikkiro, Charles Peter Mayiga, has urged HIV/AIDS champions to remain committed despite U.S. funding cuts.
While launching the 12th Edition of the Airtel Kabaka’s Birthday Run, Katikkiro Mayiga called on Ugandans to step up efforts to prevent new infections and support those living with the virus.
He also urged the Ugandan government to allocate funds to bridge the gap left by frozen international aid to sustain progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“We have an existential threat and that is insufficiency of funds and resources required to fight the scourge, therefore now is the time for pragmatism, we must save some money ourselves at individual and at family level to take care of our lives, our loved ones especially those afflicted with HIV/AIDS, so I call upon the government as pragmatic step to save money from other less critical areas so that the HIV/AIDS prevention programs are not affected”-Mayiga stressed
Mayiga encouraged participation in the 12th Kabaka’s Birthday Run, targeting 12000 participants on April 6, aimed at ending HIV/AIDS by 2030. He appealed to the young people, especially men,n to avoid behaviours (having sex for pleasure) that expose them to contracting the virus.
Speaking at the same event, Dr. Ruth Ssenyonyi, the Chairperson of the Uganda AIDS Commission, also urged for intensified efforts to curb HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, especially after the U.S. funding cuts.
Highlighting the crucial role of Buganda Kingdom and Airtel Uganda in fighting HIV/AIDS through initiatives like the Kabaka’s Birthday Run Ssenyonyi emphasized that the annual run has helped in raising awareness, which is key in the fight against HIV/AIDS
“the kabaka run has no doubt decreased HIV stigma among those living with HIV and has encouraged men to test for the virus and start life-saving treatment, these concerted efforts over the years have enabled Uganda achieve great impact among these include a remarkable decline in HIV prevalence from 18% in 1992 to 5.1% in 2023, reduction of HIV new infections from 52000 in 2022 to 38000 in 2023”-Ssenyonyi
However, Ssenyonyi is concerned that despite past progress, Uganda risks setbacks if no urgent action is taken.
“You find that 6 people are infected with HIV per Hour in Uganda…..and 730 people per week in Uganda alone, around death we have 54 people that die from AIDS related deaths in Uganda per day, we have all witnessed the impact of the Executive Orders by the US president Donald Trump, therefore we as a country, we should fast-track the interventions that would accelerate the ending of AIDS by 2030 as a public health threat”. -Ssenyonyi reports
On behalf of the official sponsors, Airtel Uganda’s HR head, Flavia Ntambi, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to public health, especially in high-prevalence areas like the Kalangala District.
“The prevalence is on the increase in Kalangala… mainly among the women and children, so this specific Kabaka run is to tackle the fight of HIV We want to get rid of HIV completely, so we are sponsoring the run as Airtel Uganda”-Ntambi
She goes on to explain that there is a specific plea for men to be at the forefront to make sure they protect the women and children so that we get rid of HIV/AIDS.
When asked why the Telecommunication Company is involved, Ntambi said Airtel Uganda has a responsibility to be involved in such activities because its vision is to transform the lives of Ugandans. However, they can not transform lives for good if people are sick.
