Source: All Africa
There have been 32,000 new HIV infections since 2009, according to Uganda Aids Commission (AIC). This was contained in a speech delivered by Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, at the high level review meeting on HIV/Aids, maternal and reproductive health, and gender violence prevention programmes, held at Hotel Africana in Kampala, on Thursday.
The meeting brought together inter-denomination religious leaders in the country, under the auspices of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Addressing the meeting, Ntagali observed that the HIV prevalence rate has increased from 6.5 per cent to 7.3 per cent and to almost eight per cent in women.
"As the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), we can discuss and review what we have done, and how to address the challenges. We made resolutions to increasingly utilise our places of worship- the churches and mosques- to talk about the scourge of HIV/Aids, maternal health and gender based violence," Ntagali said.
He added, "Let us use these platforms to mobilise, organise and empower our people to guard against the dangers of gender-based violence, and urge families to seek HIV/Aids services and promote safe practices."
UNFPA country representative Esperance Fundira, commended religious leaders for preaching to couples to plan their families through spacing births and delivering children at health facilities.
"I am inspired to see religious leaders are also championing the campaign for young people to avoid teenage pregnancy and stay in school. Together, we are making a difference," she said.
Fundira observed that the meeting was timely because globally, countries are reflecting on the 'future we want' as contained in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"Childbirth should be a happy moment for families and communities; a cause for thanksgiving, praise and celebration. Sadly, it often becomes a period of loss, grief and suffering because too many women and newborn babies are dying unnecessarily. In Uganda, 20 women die every day as a result of complications of pregnancy and childbirth," Fundira observed.
Sheikh Juma Chuku from Arua District said in some health facilities, women deliver under candlelight because there is no electricity.
"Studies have shown that when we empower women and couples, to make informed choices, including the choice to plan the optimal timing, appropriate spacing and number of children to prevent unplanned pregnancies, women thrive," the UNFPA representative added.
Ntagali called on religious leaders to work even harder, to use what God has blessed them with to make communities better.
Joshua Kitakule, the secretary general of the Inter-religious Council, observed that Uganda has the capacity to make progress in improving maternal, newborn and child health and fighting gender-based violence thanks to the strong political leadership, sound policies and investment in the macro economy.