By Sylvia
Residents in Fort Portal have asked the government to suspend the use of HIV self-testing kits as one way of addressing the continued rise in new HIV infections in the area.
The concerns were raised during a one-day regional workshop organized by the Uganda AIDS Commission at Nyaika Hotel, attended by members of the media, District Health Officers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and district HIV focal persons.
Speaking at the meeting, Thomas Rwabwoni, the Senior Assistant City Clerk of Fort Portal, said some residents believe the increasing spread of HIV may be linked to the unsupervised use of HIV self-test kits.
Rwabwoni, explained that some people carry out the tests privately in their homes and, when they test positive, they may fail to seek further confirmation and treatment at health facilities, which could increase the risk of transmission.
He also noted that some users may not clearly understand how to use the kits correctly, suggesting that HIV testing should mainly be conducted in health facilities where proper guidance and counselling are available.
However, Bagonza Majidu Muhamad, the District Health Educator for Bundibugyo District, encouraged the public to seek HIV testing and treatment services from recognized health facilities to ensure proper medical support and counselling.
He added that some people may purchase testing kits from outlets where guidance on their proper use is limited.
Area Statistics
According to Joanita Kemigisha, Communications Officer at the Uganda AIDS Commission, HIV prevalence in Fort Portal currently stands at 14.13 percent, followed by Kabarole District at 9.4 percent, Bunyangabu District at 8.1 percent, Kyenjojo District at 6.1 percent, Kamwenge District at 4.7 percent, Kitagwenda District at 5.3 percent, Ntoroko District at 4.1 percent, Kyegegwa District at 3.9 percent, Kasese District at 2.4 percent, and Bundibugyo District at 2.2 percent.
She added that the overall HIV prevalence rate in the Rwenzori Region stands at 5.3 percent.
Kemigisha noted that the continued spread of HIV is associated with several factors, including multiple sexual partners, low condom use, non-disclosure among discordant couples, and low rates of male circumcision.
According to the Uganda AIDS Commission, as of 2024 the HIV prevalence rate among adults aged 15 to 49 in Uganda is estimated at between 4.9 and 5.1 percent. Although the country has made significant progress in reducing the prevalence from about 18 percent in the 1990s, an estimated 1.4 million people are still living with HIV, with higher infection rates reported in urban centres such as Fort Portal and Kampala.