President Museveni has called on Ugandans to remain vigilant saying that HIV positive individuals are unable to hit full potential in undertaking their day to day duties.
Museveni made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing the nation about health and security matters. He said 1.45 million people in Uganda are living with the virus. Of these, 1.36 million are on lifelong ARVs.
“This doesn’t eliminate the virus, but it suppresses it, and the person lives,” Museveni who called for vigilance said the problem with HIV is when you have it, you are formally disable and unable to reach full potential in undertaking duties.
He said the rise in infections among young people aged between 15 and 24 is very alarming and health workers need to undertake campaigns to educate people about the dangers of having unprotected sex.
“My message is, please avoid getting AIDS so you can use your full potential. It’s unnecessary to get AIDS because you are looking for temporary pleasure,” Museveni said.
“The ones who are already infected with HIV should get and stay on medication. Most importantly, avoid getting it. When you have the virus (HIV), you are a formal PWD. You will not die, but you will not be able to use your full potential,” he added.
The president meanwhile also commented on the rising malaria infections in the country. Museveni said the people succumbing to Malaria in recent times are as many as those that died from Covid19.
He said 14.3 million Ugandans have been infected with malaria since the start of 2022, compared to the 11.3 million people, who suffered from the disease in 2021.
He said to date, 75 districts have high malaria cases led by Yumbe, Tororo, Adjumani, Kamuli and Agago. Kampala City and Wakiso District are also part of the group.
“One of the main causes of this is poor use of mosquito nets which the government routinely distributes. Malaria transmission in Uganda is perennial, with two seasonal peaks. The big problem is us, yes, mosquitoes are there, but we have neglected solutions against mosquitoes,” Museveni added.