The HIV focal person for Mpigi district, Dr. Moses Kawooya, has expressed significant concern regarding the rising cases of HIV/AIDS among the youth in the district.
Dr. Kawooya said that the issue is alarming given that Mpigi district has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Uganda, estimated at 8.0%, which is notably above the national average of 5.4% for adults aged between 15-49 years.
While speaking to the media on December 2, 2024, at the district headquarters, Kawooya revealed that in 2023/2024, the district registered new cases of HIV/AIDS amounting to around 2,000 patients, most of whom were youth between 19-24 years old.
He added that the virus is mostly common among young girls due to engaging in unprotected sex with older men who are already infected with HIV/AIDS, and then after they engage in unprotected sex with their fellow youth, hence its widespread in the area.
’’The areas with the big numbers of cases are Mpigi Town Council, Buwama, Kayabwe, landing sites near the shores of Lake Victoria in Kamengo sub-county, Buwama, and Nkozi,’’ Kawooya noted.
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Francis Sendyowa, the Health and Education Secretary in Mpigi district, said that HIV/AIDS cases are increasing like wildfire because most of the youth aren’t cautious about their health but are rather interested in partying.
He added that there has been a noted deficiency in effective awareness campaigns targeting young people, which hampers their understanding of HIV transmission and prevention methods.
“We need these community health camps to raise comprehensive awareness about HIV/AIDS because most youth are not very knowledgeable concerning this disease,’’ Sendyowa noted.
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He further highlighted that stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS continues to hinder individuals from seeking testing and treatment, which complicates efforts to control the epidemic.
Sendyowa urged the locals and youth to adopt safe sex practices in order to reduce the epidemic in the district so as to live longer and healthier lives.
In 2024 the Uganda AIDS Commission noted that HIV prevalence in Mpigi district stood at 5.1%, with a substantial portion of new infections occurring among young people aged 15-25, who represent 35% of all new cases.
The rising cases of HIV/AIDS in the district highlight a critical public health challenge that necessitates urgent action in order to curb the virus in the area.
