Kabarole, 8th December 2014:-  Uganda commemorated the World Aids Day (1st December 2014) at Fort Portal Boma Grounds in Kabarole district under the theme  “Getting to Zero, My responsibility”.

His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, The President of Uganda, presided over the function and appreciated the accomplishments but called on Ugandans to do more. He also advised the sick not to refuse medication and emphasized the importance of abstinence, “Treat the sick, encourage abstinence and prevent mother to child transmission,” he said. He thanked AIDS development partners for the support. The president also applauded the efforts of the HIV patients in the fight.

UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa in her speech said that a trend over the last three years had shown a decline in new infections. Ms Ahunna also called on partners to combine efforts and fight the epidemic. “Let’s join together, close the gap and end the AIDS epidemic by 2020,” she said.

The Omukama of Tooro, King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, in his speech decried the high prevalence of HIV in Tooro with 12%  prevalence against the nation’s 7.3%.  He said that families should be strengthened as they are the basis of  morals and protective issues.

 Worth noting is that there has been a decline in new HIV infections over the last three years from an estimated 162,294 in 2011 and 154,589 in 2012 to 137,000 in 2013.

 The commemoration brought together residents, government officials, CSOs, development partners, school children, traditional/cultural and religious leaders the media as well as service providers.

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1. H.E Yoweri Museveni and invited guests tours the exhibition tents 
2. Left to Right Dr Alemu WHO Rep, Mr. Musa UNAIDS Country Director, Hon. Sarah Opendi, Minister of State of Health for PHC, at the function
3. The Omukama of Tooro delivering his speech
4. UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa delivering her speech