The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has stepped up workplace health awareness with a training session on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis prevention, held at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
The session, officiated by the Under Secretary and Accounting Officer, Dr. Sengonzi Damulira, focused on strengthening staff knowledge and practices to help Uganda achieve its goal of ending AIDS by 2030. Dr. Damulira urged participants to live responsibly by being faithful to their partners, avoiding risky behavior, and embracing prevention.
“If you are active, adopt safe sex practices, know your HIV status and that of your partner,” Dr. Damulira said. He further advised staff to abstain from sex, alcohol, and drug abuse where possible, while committing themselves as change agents in their workplaces, families, and communities.
According to UNAIDS and national surveys, Uganda is making steady progress toward the 95-95-95 HIV targets: 80.8% of people living with HIV now know their status, up from 72.5% in 2017. Among those aware of their status, 96.0% are receiving antiretroviral therapy, and 92.0% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression. These gains reflect improvements in testing, treatment, and adherence support, though gaps remain, particularly among men and young people.
During the workshop, the Director of Partnerships at the Uganda AIDS Commission, Etii Tom, emphasized the importance of involving men in HIV prevention efforts and accelerating testing and treatment uptake. He also called for intensified action to eliminate mother-to-child transmission and ensure strong institutional coordination for a multisectoral response.
Rev. Canon Gideon Byamugisha encouraged staff to embrace positive living for people affected by HIV/AIDS and TB, noting that stigma and neglect often hinder progress as much as the diseases themselves.
The training is part of a wider effort to foster healthier workplaces while contributing to Uganda’s broader fight against HIV/AIDS and TB.
