Summary:
- President Museveni urged Ugandans to avoid risky behavior, particularly prostitution, which remains a leading cause of new infections.
BUYENDE: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated his call for Ugandans to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS, emphasizing that the disease limits the capacity of those infected.
“There are certain things that you cannot do when you are infected. For example, in the army, we discovered that over-exertion by someone with the virus could lead to complications. Don’t think you can get infected and live a completely normal life because drugs are available. You may not die, but your capacity will be reduced,” the President said.
He made these remarks on Sunday during the World AIDS Day commemoration held at Bukungu Primary School in Buyende District. The event ran under the theme: “Accelerating Interventions to End HIV/AIDS by 2030.”
The Root Causes of HIV/AIDS
President Museveni attributed the spread of HIV/AIDS to indiscipline, explaining that the virus initially spread through three main channels: prostitution, unchecked blood transfusions, and mother-to-child transmission. He noted that advancements in technology have significantly reduced transmission via blood transfusions and from mother to child.
“To show it’s not an unbeatable disease, we found that only 30% of babies born to HIV-positive mothers contracted the virus without intervention. With available technology, mother-to-child transmission can now be prevented,” Museveni explained.
President Museveni urged Ugandans to avoid risky behavior, particularly prostitution, which remains a leading cause of new infections.
“While drugs can suppress the virus, they do not eliminate it. Suppressing the virus helps reduce its spread, but the best approach is prevention,” he said.
Highlighting the burden of the disease, Museveni noted that of the 39 million people living with HIV globally, 1.4 million are in Uganda—a figure he described as unacceptably high. He encouraged those who test positive to adhere to treatment to maintain health and reduce the risk of further transmission.
“Although taking drugs is not my preferred outcome for you, it is better than dying. Staying alive allows you to care for your children and contribute to the country,” the President said.
Support for Scientific Advancements
President Museveni commended Ugandan scientists for their efforts to develop HIV/AIDS vaccines and treatments. He highlighted advancements such as long-acting injectable treatments that reduce the need for daily pills.
“There are even young Ugandan researchers working on medicine to kill the virus completely. I will fully support and fund them,” he stated.
Shifting focus, President Museveni urged the people of Busoga to adopt commercial agriculture to improve their livelihoods. He recommended a diversified model that includes coffee, fruits, dairy farming, food crops, and fish farming, noting that fish farming can yield higher returns than rice farming in wetlands.
“The problem is underutilization of land. For example, dry land remains unproductive without irrigation, and wetlands are being misused for low-yield activities like rice farming. Properly managed fish farming in wetlands can generate up to UGX 80 million per acre,” Museveni said.
The President also highlighted the significance of the planned nuclear power plant in Buyende District, which is expected to generate 8,000 megawatts of electricity.
“This plant will produce more power than all existing dams combined. It is crucial for Uganda’s industrialization and can stimulate local development, such as setting up industrial parks,” he noted.
Addressing challenges faced by fishing communities, President Museveni called for sustainable lake management practices to curb illegal fishing.
“We must ensure that our lakes are used responsibly. Indigenous fishermen should take the lead in preserving these resources,” he urged.
Vice President Jessica Alupo, 1st Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, and Minister for the Presidency Babirye Milly Babalanda lauded Museveni’s leadership in combating HIV/AIDS.
“HIV prevalence has reduced from 18% in the late 1980s to 5.1% today. However, the burden remains significant, with 38,000 new infections recorded in 2023 alone,” Hon. Babalanda revealed.
Dr. Nelson Musoba, Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission, highlighted a 45% reduction in new infections since 2017 and expressed optimism about achieving Uganda’s 2030 HIV/AIDS elimination targets.
Museveni concluded by encouraging Ugandans to utilize NRM programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) to combat poverty, which he linked to reduced vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. “Health is wealth,” he emphasized, urging all citizens to test for HIV and know their status.
