Health stakeholders in Bunyoro Region have urged coordinated action to curb rising HIV/AIDS infections among young people, highlighting the need for strengthened public awareness and preventive measures.
According to the HIV/Aids status report for Bunyoro Region presented by Brian Masimbi the Data Manager at Uganda Aids Commission during a stakeholder’s engagement on Wednesday, Bunyoro HIV prevalence rate stands at 4.7% slightly below the national prevalence rate of 4.9% for the age category of 15-49 years.
Hoima City is leading with 7.7%, Masindi district with 6.1% and Kagadi district with 5.1% way above the regional and National figure.
Others include Kikuube with 4.7%, Hoima District with 4.4%, Kibaale with 4.2%, Kiryandongo with 4.3%, Kakumiro district with 4% and Buliisa district with the lowest prevalence rate of 3.2%
Kakumiro District is leading with new HIV infections among people aged 15 years and above with 466 cases, Masindi with 388, Kagadi with 382, Kikuube with 358, Hoima District with 222, Kiryandongo with 249, Kibaale-182 and Buliisa with 102 cases.
The Hoima Resident City Commission Badru Mugabi in his remarks appealed to all stakeholders to implement the Presidential First Track Initiative on averting HIV/Aids as a public health threat by mainstreaming HIV fight in all activities across all government programs.
He says HIV/Aids remains an issue of national concern especially during this dynamic digital era which has exposed young people to dangers of getting infected.
The Hoima City Deputy Mayor Sylivia Nalumaga said the increasing new infections among young people calls for parents to wake up and fulfill their cardinal obligations of responsible parenting and also reminding young people of dangers of the scourge.
During the engagement organized by Uganda Aids Commission, different stakeholders who include the Local leaders, HIV/Aids activists, civil society organisations, HIV focal persons and media have been trained on how to educate the public on HIV prevention through mass media