Parents have been cited as a key factor in the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS infections, owing to their failure to guide teenagers on the disease’s preventive measures.
Dr. Shilp Sharma from the Jinja AIDS Information Center says that parents have turned a deaf ear to educating young people on the proper use of condoms, a key protector against the deadly disease.
During an annual dinner of the Jinja Network of Young People Living with HIV (JNYPA) at Hotel Paradise in Jinja on Sunday, December 22, 2024, Dr. Shilp emphasized the importance of introducing family planning methods to young people as they become sexually active during their teenage years.
“Don’t think the word ‘condom’ is bad for young people. Please teach them how to use condoms because it is indeed important in this fight against HIV/AIDS,” Dr. Shilp said.
JNYPA, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering Young People Living with HIV (YPLHIV) to live positive and productive lives, celebrated its annual festivities with an emphasis on empowering those infected. Testimonies of stigmatization and discrimination in the community were shared by disgruntled youths who seek empowerment to live sustainable lives.
Mr. Huzairu Nyanzi, JNYPA chairperson, said this year has been a testament to the resilience, courage, and determination of young people living with HIV. These individuals are committed to improving the lives of YPLHIV through advocacy, awareness campaigns, capacity building, and psychosocial support for young people in Jinja.
“Over the past year, our efforts have focused on fostering resilience, amplifying voices, and creating opportunities for young people to thrive in a world free from stigma and discrimination,” Mr. Nyanzi stated.
The organization has made significant strides in improving the lives of YPLHIV despite financial setbacks, according to Mr. Nyanzi.
“From empowering individuals through peer support programs to advocating for better healthcare policies, our efforts have not only touched lives but have also created a ripple effect of positive change in our communities,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mr. Nyanzi said they are committed to expanding their reach, enhancing their programs, and advocating tirelessly for the rights and well-being of the young people they serve.
He spoke in line with JNYPA’s mission to create a strong network that contributes to an HIV-free world and an enabling environment for young people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in the Busoga Sub-region. The organization aims to engage young people equally in programs that improve their livelihoods.
The network also envisions positive and productive lives for young people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in Jinja District.
Mr. Harold John Kakaire, JNYPA’s Executive Director, said the young people have continuously faced frustrations from stigma and discrimination by their families, guardians, potential employers, and the general public.
“Such issues contribute to high viral loads, teenage pregnancies, school dropouts, early marriages, and unsafe abortions,” Mr. Kakaire said.
The Jinja Network of Young People Living with and Affected by HIV (JNYPA) was established in 2018 by a group of YPLHIV to coordinate the work and activities of YPLHIV in Jinja District. The organization aims to improve the quality of life for fellow YPLHIV and their sexual and reproductive rights, and it was formally legalized in 2020.
Kakaire said they have reached and supported over 100 individuals through the Adolescent and Young People Living with HIV regional symposium. Earlier this year, they conducted an HIV/SGBV prevention training with 100 adolescent girls and young women.
“We successfully held inter-school health debates on HIV prevention among young people in ten schools, creating HIV prevention conversations with over 10,500 youths,” said Mr. Kakaire. He added that high-level engagement with key stakeholders, including religious and cultural leaders, was conducted, focusing on reducing new HIV infections in the Busoga Sub-region.
They also partnered with health facilities to provide HIV testing services to 915 people, distributed 12,600 condoms, and offered family planning services to 131 adolescent girls and young women.
Kakaire said the network carries out psychosocial support and peer counseling programs, which focus on addressing the emotional and mental health needs of young people living with HIV. These programs involve peer support groups that provide a safe space for sharing experiences, counseling services to help individuals navigate stigma, and emotional challenges of living with HIV.
“The family engagement initiatives have helped us foster understanding and create a supportive home environment. Advocacy and awareness campaigns have helped combat stigma and promote greater involvement of YPLHIV. Public campaigns aim to increase awareness about HIV and dispel myths and misconceptions,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of policy advocacy aimed at improving healthcare access, anti-discrimination laws, and funding for HIV programs. The organization has engaged media and influencers to amplify the voices of YPLHIV and foster a more inclusive society.
The HIV-infected individuals also undergo capacity-building programs to strengthen their skills and capabilities to live positive lives. These include leadership training for young advocates to empower them as change agents in their communities, as well as workshops on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and life skills to support personal development. Organizational development initiatives have also been conducted to enhance program delivery and sustainability.
In a success story, Benjamin Okiror, a 24-year-old member of the network who is currently pursuing a Diploma in Social Services at YMCA College of Business Studies, shares that he has benefited from social capital and networking opportunities. He says these have helped him relearn and unlearn, working with different stakeholders, young people, and service providers.
These activities have positioned the former Mr. Y+ for Eastern Region as a role model for his fellow youth in his community. He has been economically empowered and has improved his way of life.
Okiror looks forward to continuing his education to empower more young people and further grow his income-generating activities to create a sustainable economic program that will support him personally and benefit others.
“Hoping to have resources and networks that support sustainable income generation for PLHIV, this will help them be economically empowered, thus improving their way of living,” he said.
Encouraging young people, Charles Mpalanyi, Secretary for Jinja Persons Living with HIV, said, “I got the virus at an early age before getting married. I am now an aging man with four HIV-negative children, and they are in university. What has made me live a good life is being proud and loving myself in the community. Today, I am 54 years old, and I believe I have more than 20 years ahead.”
Rev. Benjamin Wabwire, the chief guest at the event, commended the young people for coming out and standing firm in their HIV-positive status. He advised them to remain positive, as they are still productive members of their communities.
“HIV-positive individuals may die from other diseases. You shouldn’t lose hope because many people are outside hiding their HIV status, and you are lucky that you came out,” he said.
Owekitiibwa Salim Hussein Magumba from the Busoga Kingdom Youth Council (BKYC) noted that the Busoga Kingdom is embracing and taking the Kyabazinga’s campaign to fight against HIV in the country.
“Baba Kyabazinga observed that men are key pillars in the spread and fight against HIV, and they are being put at the forefront,” Magumba said.
During the World AIDS Day celebrations at Bukungu Primary School in Buyende District on December 1, 2024, President Museveni attributed the wide spread of HIV to indiscipline, urging Ugandans to avoid prostitution, which he called the major cause of HIV infections.
“Please stop this indiscipline. All Ugandans should stop living risky lives. You hear the statistics: there are 39 million people with the virus worldwide. The global population is 7 billion. Out of the 39 million, 1.4 million are in Uganda, and that is a high figure. Why should this be the case?” Museveni said.
