Mukono: His Majesty, the King of Tooro, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV has called upon youth to step up and make choices aimed at ending Aids.
On Monday, Under Presidential Fast Track Initiative to End AIDS as a public health threat in Uganda by 2030, Uganda Aids Commission revealed that Uganda has registered some success in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In 2011, there were 140,000 HIV Infections; however, the number has dropped to 100,000 by 2017.
Speaking to students from various universities, King Oyo reminded them that their human immune virus (HIV) negative status expires every time they have unprotected sex with those whose HIV status they do not know.
“Make a choice and take positive action, get tested, know your statuses and become positive living champions,” he said at Uganda Christian University (UCU).
However, Director General of Uganda AIDS Commission Dr. Nelson Musoba said Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among university students is at 62 per cent while HIV awareness among them is at 50 per cent and one in every three students does not have knowledge of HIV.
“If all people with HIV are enrolled on ARVs and attain viral load suppression, the chances of them transmitting the disease drops to almost zero, do you know your HIV status?” he asked.
Giving statistics Dr. Musoba said 78 of University students are sexually active, 73 per cent are in temporary relationships. Two thirds of these engaged in sex within the first six months increasing their chances of acquiring HIV.
And added, 18 of sexually active university students have a cross generational partner. 17 per cent of university students have more than one sexual partner which increases the risks of acquiring HIV.