Joyce Namugambe
The Buganda Prime Minister Owek Charles Peter Mayiga has safely returned to the country from Zimbabwe where he had gone to represent the kingdom to take part in the conference aimed at highlighting the need to fight against HIV/AIDs in African countries.
The Theme of this conference highlighted that AIDs still exist so that the youth and all other categories of people are reminded to keep safe against the disease.
Owek. Mayiga noted that because infected people take their medicine and look healthy, most people are misled about people’s external appearance which lead them into the trap of contracting the virus, thereby calling upon people to be vigilant about the virus. He noted that in Buganda kingdom, the fight against HIV/AIDS targets the youth and men since women have less power to ask their spouses to test or prevent themselves against the virus.
Owek. Mayiga revealed that the kingdom under the efforts of the King has been commended in the conference for taking on the move to fight against the disease in the country and revealed that UNAIDS expressed the need for kingdoms and cultural leaders in African countries to emulate the move that is being taken by Buganda kingdom in the fight against the disease as it has been effective. He added that African countries should use cultural leaders to make positive changes in their countries such as in health, education, fighting against poverty among others.
He expressed concern over the African continent which is highly affected by poverty yet it is the same continent being affected by diseases such as HIV, therefore noted that since people humbly respect and listen to their cultural leaders, it is important for them to spearhead the fight against the virus just as the Buganda king does and His people respond.
However, Owek. Mayiga revealed that how ever much the 3 years stated by the kingdom to spearhead the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country has ended, the kingdom is continuing with the struggle against the disease so that by 2030, it will be no more in the country.
This conference was attended by over 5000 delegates from different African countries.
