Officials from the Ministry of Health and Uganda AIDS Commission under the President’s office have made a move to address the increasing HIV infections in Bushenyi district.

According to the records, HIV prevalence in Bushenyi district currently stands at 6.4% and this has surpassed the national prevalence rate which stands at 5.8%. Bushenyi district has an estimated 19,616 people living with HIV, 18,212 people identified with HIV, 17,018 people on ART.

During the midterm review meeting of the National HIV Strategic Plan, Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere, the chairman of Uganda AIDS Commission under the President’s office implored leaders to use all the available communication avenues to disseminate the information regarding prevention against HIV. 

Nobert Gumisiriza, the Bushenyi district HIV /AIDS network forum attributed the high rate of HIV in the area to health workers who chase people who are willing to have voluntary HIV tests that the testing kits are for only in targeted hotspots. 

Dr Nelson Musoba, the director general Uganda AIDS Commission under President’s office, however, clarified that the commission and the Ministry of Health have limited testing kits for all population urging people to use other preventive measures, like use of condoms before engaging in sex, being faithful to one partner and abstinence among others.

Shock and grief has engulfed residents of Rwampara district after a fresh graduate from Makerere University hanged herself to death.

Clare Arinaitwe, the OC/CID Rwampara confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Flavia Nagasha whose body was on Thursday found by a passer-by, inside Kagarama Daystar Church in Rwampara District.

“Nagasha climbed drums to suspend her body on the roof in the middle of the church where her deceased mother usually led her for prayers,” said Arinaitwe.

Our reporter established that Nagasha recently completed her Bachelors Degree of Business Administration at Makerere University but she was unable to attend the graduation ceremony in February 2023 due to mental disorders and often sought exorcism.

Phionah Nimusiima, a sister to the deceased revealed they had sought different born-again churches to save her life but all in vain.

By press time the body of the deceased had been handed over to her family for burial.

Shock and grief engulfed residents of Swazi II village Swazi parish Kyamuhunga Sub-county after finding the body of 24 year old Jordan Nuwagiira today morning hanging in a tree in the school compound at Swazi primary school.

Speaking to our reporter, Laban Butamanya, the Swazi parish chairperson said the body of Nuwagiira was seen by a security guard in the early morning hours hanging near the classroom block.

He said the deceased had a mental challenge and they believe it could have been one of the reasons leading to his death.  

Matia Njunwoha, the LC1 chairperson Swazi II village said as residents they have been shocked by the sudden death of their colleague who they say has been working as a casual labourer in the area.  

Mitooma District Councillors have cracked war on the district health committee for failing to deliver the required information to the ministry which has caused a shortage of drugs in most health facilities within the district.

While appearing in yesterday’s district council meeting held at the district Headquarters, Joy Bagarukayo the district councilor representing workers and Bim Douglas the district councilor representing Mitooma Town council said that most health centers have no medicine which has left patients stranded and helpless.  

The Mitooma district Deputy speaker Greenford Mucunguzi told the council that he got feedback from the ministry of health that the Mitooma district health data is wanting and that could be the biggest reason they take a long time to receive drugs and even get little.  

However, the Mitooma district Chief Administrative Officer Edith Turyasasirwa acknowledged that the district is facing drug stock outs in the majority of government health facilities but was quick to blame it on the National Medical Stores which delays the supply. 

Rural Health Promotion and Poverty Alleviation Initiative (RUHEPAI) has started a project of training teenage girls on how to make re-usable sanitary pads in Kaberebere town council, Isingiro district.

This was revealed by Fredica Baguma, the RUHEPAI Executive Director saying that this project, dubbed as “Nguma”, is targeting 270 teenage girls.

Baguma explained that the project will empower the adolescents with skills that will help them to earn a living as well as saving money from buying disposable pads.

Eric Omondi, a trainer in menstrual hygiene management who is also a team leader advocate for sustainable health and wealth in Africa asked the beneficiaries to go and train others on the skills they have acquired.

Blessing Ampurire, one of the beneficiaries who talked to our reporter said the information, knowledge and skills to be offered by RUHEPAI will be of economic value that will create economic empowerment and help others.