Hoima City Leadership Harnesses Community Events to Combat HIV/AIDS

0
149

By Leilah Bbaale

Hoima City leadership is utilizing the different community events that are held in the city to sensitize dwellers on preventive measures against HIV/AIDS.

Hoima city is currently grappling with an HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 6.7%. Experts says partly the high rate is due to the mushrooming infrastructural developments including the construction of the Kabalega international airport, oil and gas activities and other related economic ventures which expose communities to HIV Infections.

Now, Brian Kaboyo the Hoima City Mayor says they have embraced sensitization campaigns through the use of the available platforms which gather masses like events.

He adds that during those events they partner with different stakeholders to set up tents where testing for the virus and counseling sessions are conducted.

The city mayor says they also have programs when experts reach out to communities in their villages as well as through local radios to send out key messages that sensitize masses on effective ways of preventing the virus.

Hoima City working together with Uganda AIDS commission is preparing to host the National commemoration of the Candle Light Memorial celebrations at Hoima Booma grounds on Friday May 17, 2024.

The International candle light memorial is one of the oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaign for HIV awareness in the world. The day started inn1983 and takes place every third Sunday of May. It is where communities stand in solidarity with those who lost their dear ones to AIDS.