HIV trends in Uganda

There is inadequate awareness about HIV-related issues in viable ICTs, including prevention of the disease and living a productive life with HIV in Uganda.

Whereas urban areas constitute the highest numbers of MARPS as well the highest HIV prevalence in the country, access to comprehensive HIV and AIDS care, support, prevention and treatment services[3] by MARPS remain a very big challenge. The MoT (2008) report shows that the average incidence among 13 MARPS groups was 7.7% of the total incidence in the population. The HIV prevalence in urban areas is higher (8.3%) compared to the national average of 7.3% among adults aged 15-49 (UAIS, 2011). The Joint Evaluation of Support to the National Response to HIV&AIDS in Uganda shows that HIV and AIDS care, treatment, prevention and support interventions targeting the MARPS are insufficient in Kabarole and other urban areas compared to the threat they pose in driving the epidemic. A recent MARPS Baseline Survey (RIDE AFRICA, 2011) covering 5 urban local governments confirmed that addressing HIV among MARPS remains one of the biggest challenges in the national HIV and AIDS response in general and in the urban areas in particular.