Natukunda Tryphena, an ambassador representing the Young People Living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda says due to weaker anti-stigma policies put in place by the government many clients are forced to abandon treatment due to stigma by some members of the community.
Young People Living with HIV/AIDs in Lango have asked the
presidential candidate Mugisha Muntu to consider formulating and strengthening
the Anti-Stigma Policies against HIV/AIDs clients once elected president.
Anti-Stigma policies are customized health guidelines put in place to reduce
stigma. This includes types of behaviours that are not acceptable as well as
things that stakeholders should specifically do to address stigma in the
community to ensure the HIV clients are treated with respect and dignity.
While presenting their concerns to Gen. Muntu during his political rally at Lion’s
pub in Aduku Town Council Kwania district on Monday, the group under their umbrella,
the Uganda Network of Young People Living with HIV/AIDS (UNYPA), says HIV
clients are facing stigma and discrimination in the community due to the weak
anti-stigma policies put in place by the government.
Natukunda Tryphena, an ambassador representing the Young People Living with
HIV/AIDS in Uganda says due to weaker anti-stigma policies put in place by the
government many clients are forced to abandon treatment due to stigma by some
members of the community.
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Natukunda noted that more than 1,500 young people living with
HIV/AIDs in Lango are orphans and unable to go to school. She asked the
government to provide scholarships and sanitary towels for the children and
empower the young women living with HIV/AIDs.
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Oscar Ewaa, an ambassador representing the Young People Living
with HIV/AIDS in Northern Uganda says that much as the Association registered Young
Adolescent Peers to deliver drugs to HIV clients in the community, they are
trekking long distances to reach out to their clients.
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Jackson Aggrey Etwop alias ‘Jek’ a prominent politician also vying
for Kwania LCV seat under ANT, says that as ANT, they will consider enacting
better laws and making amendments to laws that improve the welfare of the
vulnerable members in the community especially the HIV clients.
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Muntu says the NRM government has left gaps in service delivery
gaps in the community due to lack of discipline to manage finance and natural
resources. He pledged to manage the national resources in the country
with the discipline to answer community-related challenges.
Solomon Okabo
Freelancer