Activists oppose Bill that criminalises intentional spread of HIV/Aids

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Civil society ogranisations yesterday protested the Bill that intends to criminalise people who allegedly knowingly spread HIV/Aids, saying it will promote stigma. The critics said the Bill, which was tabled yesterday, should not be passed in its current form because it will also promote discrimination against people living with the virus.

Under their umbrella, the Civil Society HIV/Aids Bill Coalition, the activists argued that it was counterproductive to prosecute and force people to disclose their HIV status, saying most of them will hide and fear to test in fear of prosecution.

Targeting rapists
They said the fight against the scourge was inclusive of local communities, religious institutions, civil society, private sector and development partners. “Why would the government or any progressive citizen consider this proposed law as an effective tool of responding to the epidemic?” a press release by the group reads in part.

However, Ms Beatrice Rwakimaari, the chairperson of the Parliamentary HIV/AIDs Committee, said the Bill is aimed at punishing people who rape young girls and spread the virus intentionally. She tabled the Bill for the first reading before Parliament yesterday. But civil society activists said the government, having been frustrated by the stagnant HIV prevalence rates, is instead resorting to a punitive law.

“This is an urgent call that if indeed the intention of this Bill is to prevent and control HIV, MPs should delete provisions that attract criminal liability,” said Ms Dora Musinguzi, the executive director,Uganda Network on Law, Ethics, and HIV /AIDS, who signed the release on behalf of the organisations.

The Bill has also been opposed by human rights groups and anti-HIV/Aids campaigners who oppose penalties like a 10-year jail term for whoever intentionally transmits the virus. Convicts could also suffer a fine not exceeding Shs4.8 million or both. The proposed Bill if passed into law, would require mandatory disclosure of one’s HIV status, failure of which would be regarded as a crime. Speaker Edward Ssekandi committed the Bill to the Social Services Committee for scrutiny.