By KT Reporter
As World AIDS Day approaches, Uganda will this year hold regional commemorations to continue raising awareness about the epidemic. This was revealed during the Mbale District/City HIV Committee meeting held on Friday at the Mbale District Local Government offices.
Mary Mungati, the lead partner at Village Journey Limited, said that while the national celebrations are scheduled for Bushenyi on December 1, 2025, they have partnered with the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) to organize regional events in Mbale, Gulu, and Mbarara on November 16, 23, and 28, 2025, respectively.
According to Mungati, the regional commemorations will include cycling, walking, and running competitions, as well as health camps offering free services such as HIV testing, counseling, blood donation, condom distribution, and mental health support.
(Eng) Robert Wandwasi, the Mbale District HIV Focal Person, said the commemorations will help spread vital information to the public, encourage HIV prevention, and support those living with the virus to enroll on treatment. He emphasized that such efforts are key to achieving the goal of ending HIV by 2030.
Nabusha Hawa, a Programme Officer with the Mbale Area Federation of Communities (MAFOC), said the activities aim to reduce new infections and share community testimonies about living with HIV.
Ali Nabugusi, the Chairperson of Persons Living with HIV in Mbale District, urged the public to take part in the activities, saying they offer an opportunity for people to know their health status. He added that the commemorations will also allow various stakeholders to share experiences in the ongoing fight against the disease.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, since the beginning of the epidemic, about 91.4 million people have been infected with HIV and 44.1 million have died from HIV-related causes globally. By the end of 2024, approximately 40.8 million people were living with HIV worldwide. An estimated 0.7% of adults aged 15–49 years are HIV-positive globally, with Africa remaining the most affected region — nearly one in every 30 adults is living with HIV, accounting for more than two-thirds of global cases.
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