The Uganda Prison Service has raised concerns over the lack of adherence to HIV/AIDS prevention messages among the majority of prisoners in the country’s prisons.
Frank Baine, the spokesperson for the Uganda Prison Service, highlighted that a significant number of prisoners, often illiterate or semi-illiterate, are not easily persuaded to grasp the importance of HIV/AIDS prevention due to their limited understanding of the risk factors and the messages associated with prevention.
Speaking at a Science Journalists café in Kampala, Baine shed light on the prevailing challenges. Some prisoners continue to harbor misconceptions, viewing individuals with HIV/AIDS symptoms as victims of bewitchment. Moreover, a portion of inmates dismiss HIV prevention messages as mere myths, complicating efforts to raise awareness and encourage adherence.
Baine also noted the presence of what he referred to as “negative deviants” among prisoners, individuals who seem impervious to the fear of contracting HIV.
These concerns emerge against the backdrop of increasing worries regarding elevated cases of HIV/AIDS among inmates within Uganda’s prisons. In July, some Members of Parliament (MPs) voiced apprehension about HIV transmission within prison facilities, suggesting possible incidents of homosexuality among prisoners.
Xavier Kyooma, MP for Ibanda North, even went so far as to propose mandatory HIV/AIDS testing for all prisoners, whether remanded or sentenced, to facilitate isolation and prevention. While Kyooma acknowledged the challenge of stigma, he emphasized the importance of preventing HIV transmission within the prison population.
A report from Parliament’s HIV/AIDS Committee, referencing the Uganda Prison Service’s Sero-behavioral survey report from 2019, indicated that 15% of the prison population tested positive for HIV. This figure was compared to a 12% prevalence among men and women within the prison service.
High Court Judge Margaret Mutonyi echoed concerns about the vulnerability of inmates to HIV, hepatitis, and TB. She proposed mandatory testing for all inmates, not just those charged with sexual offenses, particularly highlighting the risk faced by young offenders.
The national HIV prevalence in Uganda stands at an estimated 6.5%. The prison report revealed that around 20.5% of prisoners possessed comprehensive knowledge about HIV/AIDS, with lower awareness observed among female inmates.
Additionally, 56.8% of inmates consistently used condoms, while 61.6% recognized the importance of having only one uninfected sexual partner to reduce the risk of HIV infection.
Baine emphasized that prisoners facing or convicted of rape and aggravated defilement charges constituted around 65% of the prison population living with HIV/AIDS. Despite these challenges, efforts to recruit specialized medical staff have encountered obstacles, leaving a gap in the provision of expert care.
Uganda’s efforts to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic within its prison system remain a complex issue, requiring tailored interventions and heightened awareness campaigns to ensure the wellbeing of inmates and prevent further transmission.