Mbarara Media science Café on HIV/AIDS REPORT – Oxford Hotel- Mbarara February, 17th 2023 8:00AM-4:00PM
The Media Science Café On 17th February, HEJNU in partnership with AVAC hold a Media Science Café from 8am -4pm at Oxford Inn Mbarara city. The cafe was be attended by 20 journalists aiming at highlight the issues of HIV and youths in the western region.
Speakers/panelists:
Christopher Nahabwe: HIV Focal Person Mbarara district
Nuwagaba Allan Hadaadi: Youth Community monitor ICWEA
Medard Arinaitwe HIV specialist at MRRH-ISS
The meeting started at exactly 8:30 am on 17 February 2023 and attended by 20 journalists including Annita Matsika; the HEJNU Coordinator and Edson Kinene the moderator as well as Christopher Nahabwe: HIV Focal Person Mbarara district, Nuwagaba Allan Hadaadi: Youth Community monitor ICWEA , Medard Arinaitwe, the HIV specialist at MUST the facilitators.
It started with a prayer led by Beinomugisha Jonan a news reporter at Edigyito Radio. He asked God to guide through the discussion surrounding the HIOV/AIDS topic and blessed the Facilitators for such a thought.
20 journalists attended and introduced themselves one by one led by Annita Rita Matsika the HEJNU Coordinator and these include:
NAME MEDIA CONTACT
Beinomugisha Jonan Endigital radio 0754329453
Ainembabazi Dorothy Crooze Fm 0750405971
Akampa Gilbert Parrots news agency 0701492124
Amumpaire Jeninnah Grace radio 0776921911
Peace Asiimwe Vision Radio 0771410274
Nyesiga Elly Endigito Radio 0701025882
Fred Turyakira New vision 0772888665
Amos Tayebwa Red Paper 0757145926
Birungi Harriet Radio west 0781837063
Adolf Ayoleka New Vision 0700799091
Nagudi Fatumah Bukede TV 0703039238
Rumanzi Perezi Daily monitor 0702298748
Alex Mugasha NBS 0755997373
Aggrey Twesigye Croose Fm- 0705494366
Innocent Arinaitwe GNTV 0779125073
Aaron Ainemogisha Rise news uganda 0784043745
Jemimmah Ayebale Radio west 0703306930
Edson Kinene URN 0701196845
Joshua Nahamya The cooperator news 0783111993
Anita Matsika Coordinator- Mbarara; 0702248676
Onesmus Niwagaba UBC West; 0757912311
Eli Akiza TV west 0773963666
Nahabwe Christopher MDLG 0772866204
DR Medard Alinaitwe MRRH/ISS 0702923293
Nuwagaba Hadaad Allan ICWEA 0777206402
Alinda Bagenda Grace Rapporteur 0789461175
Kinene Edson Moderator 0783210324
Annita Matsika HEJNU Coordinator 0775865759
HIV status in western districts and Mbarara – Christopher Nahabwe reported that HIV remains a significant public health concern because it affects everyone and consumes substantial government resources in human capital, medication, and diagnostic equipment. He emphasized Mbarara, which has a population of over 170,000, as a focal point for data collection.
HIV prevalence and incidence data are gathered from the district information center, the Uganda AIDS Commission, and the population-based HIV impact assessment. The highest number of transmissions occurs among people aged 15–49. In western Uganda, 6.3% of people tested are living with HIV, compared to the national prevalence of 9.5%. District-level prevalence is: Mbarara 9.6% (male 7.5%, female 11.6%), Bushenyi 9.1% (male 7%, female 11.2%), Kiruhura 8.7% (male 6.7%, female 11.2%), Rukungiri 8.3% (male 6.1%, female 9.3%), Sheema 8.1% (male 5.1%, female 11.1%).
The 95-95-95 strategy aims to reduce HIV transmission by ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those are on treatment, and 95% achieve viral suppression. Mbarara’s incidence fluctuated from 2 per 1,000 in 2019/20 to 5 per 1,000 in 2020/21, reflecting ongoing new infections. Mother-to-child transmission is nearly under control, with less than one case per 20 births acquiring HIV.
The highest transmission occurs among adults aged 20–49, with male incidence at 6.1% and female at 11.8%. Transactional sex, multiple sexual partners, poverty, alcohol use, and gender-based violence are major drivers. HIV also affects adolescents, especially girls aged 10–19, with incidences rising.
Policies and interventions include targeted testing, test-and-treat, ART availability at all HCIII facilities in Mbarara, anti-stigma initiatives, and workplace HIV policies. Key populations such as sex workers, men in uniform, and people who inject drugs are specifically targeted, but challenges remain due to mobility, networks, and peer support. Funding is largely donor-dependent, and gaps in service delivery persist.
HIV prevention and control among youth – Medard Arinaitwe emphasized the need for innovation and collaboration. Science journalists play a role in disseminating accurate information to the public. HIV continues to affect families, friends, and communities, and constant updates in treatment require awareness.
Understanding HIV and AIDS – HIV is primarily sexually transmitted but can also spread via pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or exposure to infected bodily fluids. The virus attacks CD4 immune cells, leading to AIDS if untreated.
HIV progresses through stages:
- Stage I: asymptomatic
- Stage II: minor symptoms and recurrent infections
- Stage III: chronic diarrhea, severe bacterial infections, pulmonary tuberculosis
- Stage IV: opportunistic infections like toxoplasmosis, candidiasis, and Kaposi’s sarcoma
Without treatment, most people develop AIDS within 8–10 years. Antiretroviral therapy can prevent progression by reducing viral load.
User Experience
Nuwagaba Allan Hadaadi: Youth Community Monitor, ICWEA
ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) – ART is the recommended daily treatment for everyone living with HIV. While it cannot cure HIV, it helps people live longer, healthier lives and reduces the risk of HIV transmission. The main goal is to lower a person’s viral load to an undetectable level, meaning the virus is too low to be detected by a test. Maintaining an undetectable viral load effectively eliminates the risk of transmitting HIV to HIV-negative partners through sex.
I tested HIV positive for the first time when I was 11 years old. After being ill for about a month with malaria, typhoid, and diarrhea, my caretaker took me to TASO Mbarara for testing, which confirmed I was positive. Surprisingly, both my parents and household members were negative. I cannot say definitively where I contracted HIV, but the fact remained: I had to accept my status, start medication, and move on with life.
Growing up was difficult. I faced discrimination from relatives and my parents abandoned me due to my HIV status. School and community life were challenging, but I developed resilience. Today, I am stigma-free and speak openly about my HIV status. I use my experience to fight stigma and discrimination, supporting others in adherence and treatment.
At TASO Mbarara, in 2021, over 18 adolescents and children were non-suppressing due to the lockdown. Through my advocacy, over 10 have now achieved viral suppression. I am a role model for young people and engage widely through my Twitter handle @officialHadaad, with over 2.2k followers.
I have represented youth as “MR. YPLUS” or YPlus Ambassador Western Region (2021–2022) under Uganda Network of Young People Living with HIV (UNYPA). I serve on the TASO Clients’ Council Committee as a Youth Representative and am an “ARIEL Ambassador” under EGPAF, addressing adolescent and youth issues. Currently, I am a Community Monitor under the International Community of Women Living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA), conducting clinic monitoring in eight PEPFAR-supported facilities to understand service recipients’ perspectives on HIV and TB services.
HIV remains high in Mbarara among young people aged 18–40 years—the most sexually active and economically vulnerable group.
SRHR in Men and Boys
My work has shifted from HIV to broader sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), particularly for men and boys. Many perceive gender work as focusing solely on women, so we created a community of practice via online advocacy to engage men.
Key issues for men mirror those for women: sexual education, life skills, STIs, HIV, sexual dysfunction, hypersexuality, stigma, sexual and gender-based violence, and cancers of the sexual organs (prostate, testicular, penile). Reproductive health also includes fatherhood and parenting, often seen as a female domain, yet men are interested and can be engaged at different life stages:
- Boys: age-appropriate sex education
- Adolescents: contraception, STIs, HIV
- Adults: fertility, fatherhood, parenting
- Older men: sexual dysfunction and cancers
- \LGBTQ individuals, especially trans people, are often ignored in SRHR services and remain underserved.
Barriers to SRHR Access for Men and Young Boys
- Policy level: Gender is often interpreted as only women and girls. Services are mostly female-focused, leaving men underserved.
- Service providers: Predominantly female providers can deter men from discussing private concerns. Male health-seeking behavior is generally low.
- Key populations: Trans women and male sex workers are 49 times more at risk of HIV/STIs but remain underserved.
- Individual, community, and healthcare barriers:
- Internalized stigma, low socio-economic status
- Social exclusion, discrimination, breach of confidentiality
- Limited operating hours of key population-friendly facilities
- Stock-outs of STI drugs and inadequate treatment centers
- Transphobia in communities
Coping strategies: Substitutes such as lotions, avocado, or yoghurt for lubricants; herbs for STI drugs; psychoactive substances for stigma; altering dress codes to conceal gender identity
Addressing these barriers requires sensitizing healthcare providers, key population groups, and communities to create an enabling environment for trans-women sex workers and other marginalized men.
reeSuggestions
- Recognize that men and boys have sexual health needs and are legitimate beneficiaries of SRHR.
- Even if SRHR policy focuses on women and girls, men and boys should be seen as allies in advancing outcomes.
- Engaging men by acknowledging their desires and needs makes them partners in SRHR.
- Prioritize the LGBTQ community, particularly trans people, who are at higher risk of HIV/STIs. Protecting their rights helps safeguard broader populations.
“We all need to support young people to fight HIV because they are the highest transmitters.”
ALINDA BAGENDA GRACE-Rapporteur
