The Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters has appealed to the government to allocate more funding to HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment in order to enable the country increase its gains against the pandemic.

In a statement signed by the Chairperson of the Committee, Beatrice Rwakimari, the MPs said more funds are needed to curtail the now rising rates of HIV infection in the country.

Beatrice Rwakimari

Although Uganda is internationally acclaimed for reducing HIV infection from about 20% in the 1980s to about 6% in 2000, the HIV prevalence in the country has remained stagnant between 6% and 7%. A recent report from the Uganda AIDS Commission indicated that HIV infections are increasing among sex workers and their clients, and among married people, especially in urban areas.

Estimates indicate that there are about 1.2 million persons infected with HIV in Uganda, with 13 percent being children under 15 years. Figures also show that there has been an increase in new infections since 2005, with 124,261 getting infected in Uganda in 2009.

The MPs say because of such a situation, the government should also link sexual reproductive health services to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The legislators say while the government of Uganda has come with commendable strategies to fight HIV/AIDS, there is need to ensure appropriate allocation of resources for the implementation of policies, plans and activities and their programmes.

They also want to see mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS issues by adequately catering for HIV preventions, care and support in sector specific budgets.

Ultimate Media