HIV/AIDS preventive campaigns in Uganda

Makerere University Department of Public Health Don Dr. Elizeus Rutebemberwa has revealed that by 2025 Uganda’s economy will be reduced by up to 39 percent due to the increased prevalence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Uganda.

HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Uganda have stagnated causing worries among the various stakeholders especially the civil society, the government and donors.

Dr. Rutebemberwa has told MPs during a dialogue at Uganda Parliament in Kampala today (June 2, 2010) on the need for a renewed commitment to the fight HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

He says the disease raises the overall poverty rate by 1.4 percent every year due to sickness, death and increased dependency burden by HIV/AIDS ophaned children.

Makerere University don says poverty caused by HIV/AIDS is more felt in the rural areas at 1.6 percent compared to urban areas where the poverty rates as a result of HIV/AIDS has increased by only 0.9 percent per year.

Dr. Rutebemberwa appealed to Uganda Members of Parliament to put up a committed fight against AIDS so that people’s livelihoods can be improved