Museveni disputes circumcision and condom use.

According to Museveni, the only safe prevention method against HIV/AIDS is delaying sex by the youths and aggressive sensitization about the dangers of the epidemic.

He said this during celebrations to mark the World Aids day at the Boma grounds in Fort Portal municipality on Monday under the theme, “Zero Infection, my responsibility”.

It came after various speakers including people living with HIV/AIDS, Richard Rwabuhinga, the Kabarole district LC5 Chairperson and Aids activists advocated for continued use of condoms and urged men to embrace safe male circumcision. Scientific trials have in the past shown that male circumcision can reduce the risk of HIV infection by up to 60 percent. As a result, UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend circumcision as an important element in HIV prevention.

However, Museveni wondered if circumcision can prevent the spread of HIV, why there are many Muslims, Bakonjo and Bagisu dying from Aids. The Bakonzo like the Bagisu, have circumcision as one of their most entrenched cultural practices. Museveni also said that, whenever he attends international conferences on HIV/AIDS, he is irritated by health experts supporting circumcision and condom use.

He said if Aids is to end in Uganda, people should avoid contracting the disease, the sick should seek treatment and women should embrace Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), which is a key intervention in curbing the spread of HIV.

Museveni attributed the new infections of HIV/AIDS, especially among the youths to failure by parents to talk to their children about the dangers of Aids.

Asked about the comments by the president, Sarah Achieng Opendi, the minister of state for Primary said that Ministry of Health will continue advocating for Safe Male Medical Circumcision and condom use, since they are part of the ministry’s prevention strategy.

She, however, warned medical workers against misleading people that Safe Male Medical Circumcision -SMC completely prevents infection of Aids.

Courtesy of Crooze FM