One of Uganda’s leading cosmetics producer -Movit Products, have launched a nation -wide campaign to stem the spread of the deadly HIV/Aids pandemic that’s is on the rise again especially among the youth in the age bracket of 15- 24 years representing 79% of the national infection rate. Girls are more affected .
The Movit intervention – “iknow HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign”, in partnership with Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU), a nonprofit organization focusing on youth empowerment programs particularly Sexual Reproductive Health Rights of young people between the ages of 12–24 years. is one of the stakeholder activities to mark the international World AIDS Day which falls on December 01 every year .
Mr. Robert Kitenda, Head Marketing- Movit Products, challenged young people to champion the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS in Uganda and beyond.
“The fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS remains everyone’s responsibility. However, the time for all youth to stand against this pandemic is now. We have the mantle to create awareness and empower one another to “Say No” to this pandemic,” he stated .
“According to the World Health Organization, in 2020 alone 680,000million people died from HIV related causes and 1.5million people acquired HIV. Approximately 25.4million living with HIV by the end of 2020 are in the African region.
However, there is an evident drastic reduction in the number of new HIV infections between 2010 and 2020 that is a drop from 94,000 in 2010 to 38,000 in 2020. This has majorly been attributed to the improved access and utilization of HIV services like testing, care and treatment,” Kitenda explained .
Ms. Connie Nankya, Communications and Corporate Affairs Manager, Movit Products, said her company is conducting the company to help reduce the HIV/Aids infection rates among the youth .
The CEO RAHU Mr. Humphrey Nabimanya, said that his organization is committed to sponsor activities geared at increasing awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment as well as providing essential health services in Uganda .
