Ugandans urged to focus on ending stigma

By Anthony Kushaba

Ugandans have been urged to always embrace tolerance and respect for one another in a bid to end stigma.

The call was made on Tuesday by Ntungamo district health educator Twesigye Nesterio while speaking at a district stakeholder engagement meeting on accountability for HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and human rights held at Ntungamo resort Hotel.

The meeting was organized with support from the international community of women living with HIV in Eastern Africa (ICWEA).

Nesterio revealed that some people have continued to stigmatize people living with HIV despite the fact that some remarkable steps and efforts have been made towards ending it.

Dickson Buryahika says that people must also believe in themselves, self-love, and be content with their situation if the fight against stigma is to be realized.

The acting  Ntungamo district health officer says that the district is currently doing poorly in controlling tuberculosis, which disturbs the people living with HIV/AIDS, and that they are working hard to eliminate it.

Christopher Nshemereza, a principal Township officer who represented the chief administrative officer, commended development partners for always coming in to bridge the gaps and urged locals to embrace their efforts for effective service delivery.

ICWEA was started way back in 2005 by women who wanted to have issues challenging women addressed.