HIV Infection Rate High Among Forces

Posted to the web 18 July 2008 Rehema Aanyu Kampala The rate of new HIV infection is high among the armed forces compared to the civilian population, the director general of the Uganda AIDS Commission has said. Dr. Kihumuro Apuuli noted that the infection rates were two to five times higher among the forces than in the whole population. "For every two people put on anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, five more are infected. It is like chasing a mirage." He observed that the armed forces were also at increased risk of contracting and spreading HIV due to their mobility. Apuuli was on Tuesday addressing the army, the Police and Prisons Service chiefs at the Kampala Protea Hotel. He attributed the new infections to increased interaction between combatants and civilians, and rise in commercial sex. Apuuli also cited decreased... [read full story]