Uganda: Information on the treatment of persons with HIV/AIDS by government authorities, on social attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS, and on access to health services, drugs and treatment for persons with HIV/AIDS
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 October 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | UGA25181.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Uganda: Information on the treatment of persons with HIV/AIDS by government authorities, on social attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS, and on access to health services, drugs and treatment for persons with HIV/AIDS, 1 October 1996, UGA25181.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac0a30.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Uganda is one of the African countries most affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic (Kabahenda Nyakabwa Sept. 1994). According to a 15 March 1994 Reuters report, "some 1.6 million people or 9.4 percent of Uganda's population are infected with AIDS."
One 1991 source indicates that the government of Uganda has adopted an open policy towards HIV/AIDS and that Uganda has some of the most progressive AIDS education programmes in Africa (BBC Summary 12 Aug. 1991). A 16 June 1993 Washington Post report corroborates the above information when it states that "the confrontation with AIDS in Uganda has involved the leadership in a concerted effort to control this epidemic. Partnerships have been formed between government and international as well as local organizations seeking to reduce the impact of already acquired infection and to decrease the rate of HIV transmission" (ibid.).
Access to heath services, drugs and treatment is limited because Ugandans cannot afford the high cost of the medications (Kabahenda Nyakabwa Sept. 1994). Frustrated doctors and patients are reportedly turning to herbal medicines (AFP 29 May 1993).
Even though 1.6 million Ugandans have been infected, and in spite of the government's open policy and the effect HIV/AIDS has had on almost all Ugandan families, HIV/AIDs patients and their families are stigmatized (Kabahenda Nyakabwa Sept. 1994). For additional information on HIV/AIDS in Uganda, please consult the attached documents.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 May 1993. "Frustrated Ugandan Doctors Turn to Herbs to Treat AIDS Patients." (NEXIS)
Radio Uganda [Kmpala, in English]. 9 August 1991. "Uganda Museveni Urges Active Fight Against AIDS."(BBC Summary 12 Aug.1992/NEXIS)
Reuters. 15 March 1994. BC Cycle."Uganda to Test Possible AIDS Vaccine in 1996." (NEXIS)
The Washington Post. 16 July 1993. Final Edition. "Uganda is Still Fighting AIDS." (NEXIS)
Attachment
AIDS Weekly Plus [Foster city: California]. 22 July 1996. "Conference Coverage (XI Int Conf on AIDS) Herbal Remedies Outperform Western Drugs in Uganda. (NEXIS)
Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 May 1993. "Frustrated Ugandan Doctors Turn to Herbs to Treat AIDS Patients." (NEXIS)
Kabahenda Nyakabwa (September 1994). "Uganda and the Challenge of AIDS." Unpublished paper.
Radio Uganda [Kmpala, in English]. 9 August 1991. "Uganda Museveni Urges Active Fight Against AIDS."(BBC Summary 12 Aug.1992/NEXIS)
Reuters. 15 March 1994. "Uganda to Test Possible AIDS Vaccine in 1996." (NEXIS)
The Washington Post. 16 July 1993. Final Edition. "Uganda is Still Fighting AIDS." (NEXIS)
World Health Organization (WHO) [Geneva]. November 1990. Noeren Kaleeba. "From a Uganda Casebook; Health Education Programs for Dealing with AIDS." (NEXIS)
