Kabale municipal council embarks on HIV/AIDS awareness campaign

Muhumuza Ambrose

Kabale municipal council officials have put in place stringent measures to prevent the further spread of HIV/AIDS.

Among these include weekly testing of people in public places, index testing, putting condoms in both open and private places and enrolling all positive patients on ART.

Last year, Kabale municipal council passed a resolution that intended to compel all hotels and lodge owners to put boxes for storing condoms such that they can be easily accessed by their clients.

Fines were also levied against defiant hotel and lodge operators.

Months later, many hotels and lodges have become compliant and put in place condom dispensers.

Paddy Mwesigye, the Kabale municipality HIV focal person said this practice has gradually curbed down on the spread of the disease.

Besides the condom dispensers, the authorities are undertaking weekly testing of all people in public places and enrolling those who test positive on antiretroviral drugs.

This, according to the municipal officials, is intended to establish the number of infected people in the area and how these can be enrolled on drugs.

However some of the tested people migrate to other areas, posing a challenge for the authorities.

Last week, Reach a Hand, a local NGO in partnership with NBS TV and Nxt Radio were in Kabale town to support the cause of reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

They spent the day giving out condoms and testing them for HIV.