Uganda to host International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa

Uganda is set to host the 21st edition of the international conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) in December, 2021.

ICASA is a major international AIDS conference which takes places in Africa every after two years.

The conference brings together about 10,000 delegates including scientists, policy makers, religious leaders, civil society and other implementers in the HIV response on the continent and beyond.

This year, the 20th edition of the ICASA was held in Rwanda's capital, Kigali from the 2nd to 7th December 2019.

According to the Minister in charge of Presidency Esther Mbayo, Uganda and Kenya emerged as final contenders to host ICASA in 2021 following a rigorous voting exercise by the registered members of the Society for AIDS in Africa.

A country assessment team from the Society of AIDS in Africa was then put in place to review the availability and evidence of strong political will, commitment and capability to host the conference from which Uganda was announced winner.

"A total of five countries including Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia and Tunisia submitted bids and were all shortlisted. Following this listing, registered members of the Society for AIDS in Africa voted for the countries of their choice from which Uganda and Kenya emerged as final contenders, At the just concluded 20th edition of the ICASA in Kigali, Rwanda, Uganda was announced as the winner to the ICASA in 2021, " Mbayo said in part.

The minister said that hosting this conference will be a great opportunity for Uganda to renew global commitment by drawing the world's attention to the fact that current achievements are under threat unless new resources are mobilised to drive innovations being proposed by the science.

Mbayo also noted the country will benefit through the extra income that the delegates will spend for the six days.

The six days, among other things, will consist of plenary sessions that will feature the world's most distinguished researchers and scientists that bring all conference delegates together every morning.

It will also consist of abstract-driven sessions which offer the highest caliber of state of the art, peer reviewed research presented in parallel sessions, poster exhibitions, satellite sessions, engagement sessions among other activities.