“Those NGOs and whites come deceiving you that circumcision and condom use are the best ways to protect yourself against HIV/Aids. But I advise you to put padlocks on your private parts.”President Yoweri Museveni
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President Museveni has several times expressed fears that the safe male circumcision campaign is likely to lead to reckless sexual behaviour and lead to a rise in HIV/Aids prevalence rate. |
Uganda’s Civil Society organizations’ foolish support of the bogus circumcision crusade : Government accused of ‘relaxed’ opinions on circumcision
President Museveni challenges the Bogus circumcision crusade, tells youth to embrace abstinence
Museveni sticks to position on circumcision
HIV rights groups attack Museveni
Country programme director of Uganda Cares Henry Magala addresses a
press conference yesterday in Kampala. Looking on is the advocacy
programme officer, Mr Kenneth Mwehonge(L) and executive director of
Uganda Alliance of Patients Organisations Joshua Wamboga. Photo by
Dominic Bukenya
By EMMANUEL AINEBYOONA
Posted Thursday, December 4 2014 at 02:00
Posted Thursday, December 4 2014 at 02:00
In Summary
The organisations note that there are scientific interventions approving condom use and male circumcision to reduce HIV spread.
Kampala- A coalition of civil society organisations on the frontline of Uganda’s HIV response yesterday demanded President Museveni to withdrawal his remarks on HIV/Aids prevention.
Kampala- A coalition of civil society organisations on the frontline of Uganda’s HIV response yesterday demanded President Museveni to withdrawal his remarks on HIV/Aids prevention.
While commemorating World Aids Day in Fort Portal
on Monday, the President said: “Those NGOs and whites come deceiving you
that circumcision and condom use are the best ways to protect yourself
against HIV/Aids. But I advise you to put padlocks on your private
parts.”
Mr Museveni added: “In 1990, when HIV infections reduced from 18 per cent to 6 per cent, our message was not to resort to condoms but abstinence. We managed to bring down the rates of infection until other people brought in condom use and circumcision.”
Mr Museveni added: “In 1990, when HIV infections reduced from 18 per cent to 6 per cent, our message was not to resort to condoms but abstinence. We managed to bring down the rates of infection until other people brought in condom use and circumcision.”
However, Ms Alice Kyayonga Mutebi of Uganda Cares,
said the President’s remarks fuel spread of shame, stigma and
discrimination, which will increase the risk of HIV infections among
Ugandans.
Ms Lilian Mworeko of International Community of
Women Living with HIV, said the claims by the head of state are
poisoning the national efforts towards the HIV fight.
“Ugandans should not believe in what the President
said in Fort Portal but believe in evidence and science-based
interventions,” Ms Mworeko said.
While commenting on the President’s remarks in a
telephone interview, Prof Vinand Nantulya, the chairman of Uganda Aids
Commission, said: “Safe male circumcision and condom use give different
results and scenarios. I need more time to study the scenarios in order
to comment.”
Ms Nakisozi Mastulah, a resident of Kawempe living with HIV, said: “The President’s comments have made me lose hope because someone living with HIV has a right to a sexual relationship.”
Ms Nakisozi Mastulah, a resident of Kawempe living with HIV, said: “The President’s comments have made me lose hope because someone living with HIV has a right to a sexual relationship.”
Uganda’s national HIV/Aids prevalence remains high at 7.3 per cent, with a rate of 380 new infections registered per day.
