Uganda: Include Gays in Aids Fight, Reports Say

By Kakaire Kirunda
A study conducted recently in Kampala and whose findings were published this month in the journal Aids Behaviour says recognition of gay and bisexual men in local HIV prevention programmes and education messages is urgently needed.

The study that was based on 224 gay and bisexual men's views found that "37 percent had unprotected receptive anal sex in the last six months, 27 percent were paid for sex, 18 percent paid for sex, 11 percent had history of urethral discharge".

Yet perception that gay and bisexual men are at risk for HIV infection was low, according to the authors.

"Our study demonstrates that gay and bisexual men in Uganda are willing to identify themselves and participate in research and prevention campaigns," write the authors, further showing that 61 percent and 39 percent reported themselves as gay and bisexuals respectively.

Similarly, the newly released Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), MSM -LGBTI HIV/AIDS Report 2008 calls for the inclusion of gay people in the fight against HIV and Aids.

"Having a programme for HIV prevention is a national priority in Uganda which is held back because most people 'hate' homosexuals," reads the report.

"This is [a] real problem where all Ugandans can do something. Isolated interventions by the minority homosexuals are very limited in their impact.

They need the acknowledgement and support of the majority heterosexual Ugandan population and together HIV can be curbed."

The report is punctuated by testimonies from gay people who have reportedly been mistreated each time they seek sexual health related services.

Uganda has a generalized HIV epidemic, meaning it affects all sections of the community, but most of the prevention, treatment and care programmes for the sick mainly target heterosexuals.

The current national HIV/Aids strategic plan shows no programmes that specifically target men who have sex with fellow men (MSM). Efforts to get a comment from the Uganda Aids Commission, which co-ordinates the HIV/Aids response in the country, were futile.

However, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, the chairman of Parliament's HIV/Aids committee, said although involving MSM in the fight against HIV is essential, it is not something that can be done easily. "Given that anal sex that those people perform is one of the most effective ways of transmitting HIV, there should be cause for concern," he said.

"Unfortunately, under the current legal framework they can't be helped as a group. However, they can make use of the available programmes as individuals."

According to Dr Tumwesigye, until gay activities are decriminalised, it may not be easy even for organisations that are willing to help to involve this minority community in the fight against HIV.

Anti-gay activist Martin Ssempa said Uganda needs to send a clear message to homosexuals that they are engaging in a suicidal and un-natural risk that fuels HIV and other infections such as hepatitis.

"These people are just looking at ways of legitimising their practice, which is illegal and deviant in our society," said Pastor Ssempa. "Our previous experience showed us that bringing homosexuals into campaigns against HIV only gives them a chance to propagate their illegal and unnatural acts."

Makerere University School of Public Health Dean David Serwadda said the fight against HIV requires the participation of all in the community.

This article was published in The Monitor, Uganda on Saturday 24th May 2008