Prisoners to test for HIV: an AIC initiative

PRISONERS and staff of Luzira and Gulu prisons will be counselled and tested for HIV over the next one year, courtesy of the AIDS Information Centre (AIC).

According to an agreement signed on Tuesday, the staff and inmates will be provided with TB prophylaxis, a preventive treatment, to reduce the spread of the disease.

“HIV opportunistic infections, like TB are the leading cause of death among inmates and staff. Over 60% of TB patients are also HIV-positive,” said Denson Nyabana, the assistant commissioner for health services in the Prisons Service.

The partnership will also enable staff and prisoners to get treatment.
In 1993, the Prisons Service established the prisons AIDS control programme to fight HIV.

However, limited funding and inadequate staffing have led to limited access to voluntary counselling, testing and treatment.

Raymond Byaruhanga, AIC executive director, said post-test clubs would be formed for those who have tested positive or not. The group also plans to spend about sh20m on AIDS and TB interventions in prisons.

Launching the AIC strategic Plan

The AIC strategic plan 2009 - 2014 was officially launched by Hon. Adolf Mwesige, the Minister for Local Government.

AIC launchs a 5year strategic for HIV counselling and Testing Services in Uganda

On Friday 26th June 2009, AIDS Information Centre launched a sh100b plan to ensure quality counselling and testing for HIV&AIDS is available to all in the next five years.
The strategic plan was launched by the minister for local Government Hon. AdoLf Mwesige. In his remarks he praised AIC for the good work done over the years and pledged the government support to ensure that many people continue to get to know their sero status.


“Our wish is that everyone in Uganda undergoes HIV testing. We want a situation where everyone knows his or her status for us to be able to fight the disease,” the chairperson AIC Board of Trustees, MP Chris Baryomunsi, said on Friday. At the moment, only 21% of Ugandan adults, or 2.5 million, know their HIV status.