Kampala has highest HIV prevalence in Uganda
Officials from the Uganda AIDS Commission have said Kampala is still among the leading parts of the country with the highest HIV prevalence in the country.
Speaking ahead of the International Candle Light memorial day set for May, 17, in Hoima City, Dr. Daniel Byamukama, the head of HIV prevention at Uganda Aids commission said whereas the prevalence of HIV among adults between 15 and 49 is 5.1% in the country, it is higher in Kampala.
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“Six sub regions including Kampala have a prevalence higher than the national prevalence level,” Dr.Byamukama.
“The prevalence rate for mid north is 6.7%, 6.0% for North Buganda, 8.3% for South Buganda, 6.0% for South Western.”
He noted that currently, 1.4 million Ugandans have HIV/ AIDS, with 1.35million being adults above the age of 15 while 860,000 of these are women and 500,000 men.
According to the State Minister for Kampala, Kabuye Kyofatogabye, Uganda has made progress over years in HIV prevention and control bringing down HIV prevalence from 18% in the 1980’s to 5.1% today.
“However, despite the success registered, the burden of HIV remains high with HIV prevalence being higher among women at 6.5% than men at 3.6%. Amongst older adolescents and young people, prevalence is almost four times higher among females than males,” Kyofatogabye said.
He said government’s strategic focus is to ensure a healthy population.
“We will therefore continue supporting all interventions aimed at reducing inequalities especially among Adolescents Girls, Young Women and Boys, through policy formulation and ensuring there is enrollment and completion of education by all. This will not only help in prevention of HIV but also contribute to achievement of our Vision 2040 of becoming “a transformed society from a peasant to a modern prosperous country.”
He said the theme for this year’s event is Ending AIDS: Keeping Communities at the Centre.
