 Jinja mayor Baswale Kezaala has said all political aspirants for various elective positions should take an HIV test to serve as role models in the fight against the scourge.
Mr Kezaala argued that all politicians, including those at local councils, wield influence on people’s opinions and if they test for HIV publicaly. it will encourage their followers to do the same.
“Leaders should be the first to test for HIV/Aids if we are serious about fighting this disease. I do not know why they fear to test for HIV…” said Mr Kezaale.
He was on Thursday speaking in Jinja Town at a function organised by the African Mayors’ Initiative for Community Action on Aids at Local Level, an alliance of local government authorities on the continent.
Mr Kezaala took an HIV test at the event to back up his call for all leaders to emulate him.
In 2013, President Museveni publicly tested for HIV. Although the results were not declared publicly, the anti-HIV campaigners have since used his action to urge Ugandan to take the test.
Jinja Municipal medical officer Stephen Banonya said early HIV diagnosis will help people to tame the scourge that has claimed millions of lives and drained countries’ treasuries of billions of money in search for a cure and daily therapies for patients.
“When you test for HIV and you are negative, we (health workers) will guide you how to stay negative. If you test positive, you will still get treatment and live a normal life,” Dr Banonya said, cautioning the public against reckless living.
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(Nana Kwesi)