By Online Team

3^rd Dec 2012:

President Yoweri Museveni has warned the youth of Uganda to stop relying on circumcision as a means to stop contracting HIV/Aids.  “When you are circumcised, you don’t become metallic and therefore immune to HIV/AIDS.” Museveni said.

He pointed out that whereas the Bagisu have practiced circumcision for decades that has not stopped them from contracting and dying of HIV/Aids.  He therefore called on health workers and organizations engaged in fighting HIV/Aids to sensitize Ugandans on the real health benefits of circumcision in order to avoid giving a false sense of security that circumcision is an immunity booster against HIV/Aids.

He explained that when the fight against the scourge was in its initial stages, a lot of fear was instilled in people and that encouraged many to abstain from pre-marital sex, thereby miraculously reducing the numbers of new infections.

However, when more and more options for fighting the scourge becoming available, people’s fears about HIV/Aids reduced.  “…Condom use was meant to be a last resort in circumstances where one could not abstain from sexual activity.  It’s not the first priority as many of you think”, the president said.

Museveni also pointed out that adultery and prostitution are the leading factors in the increased infection incidences, adding that the practice of having multiple sexual partners is more common among men of today.

The president made the remarks 1^st December at the annual World Aids Day celebrations at Kasensero village in Kyeebe Sub-County Rakai district.  This year’s celebrations were hosted in Kasensero because of the area’s history as the place that registered the first case of HIV/AIDS in Uganda in the early 1980s.

Activities to commemorate the day included voluntary counselling and testing by various organizations, as well as provision of HIV/AIDS related information manuals.  Other than that, music and drama – all laden with powerful messages about how people can protect themselves from the pandemic was also staged.

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 50 million people world-wide have been infected with HIV and AIDS since the first cases of the scourge were recorded about two decades ago.

Reports also indicate that while the scourge is a global problem, Africa has core the brunt of it.  This, experts say, is largely because of ignorance, inadequate access to prevention, treatment and care services, as well as stigma and discrimination.

The Minister of Health, Hon. Christine Ondoa, applauded President Museveni for his continued effort and support towards programmes geared at fighting the HIV/AIDS. END: Login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories mid-week for our updates

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