Mpigi AIDs patients take ARVs with waragi, says RDC

Ms Lillian Nakaweesi, Mpigi Deputy RDC speaks during World AIDS Day celebrations at Njeru Church of Uganda Primary School on Thursday. PHOTO BY SADAT MBOGO

What you need to know:

  • Ms Grace Nabisere, projects officer at Joy Initiatives Uganda advised couples to stop using chemicals with intention of enlarging their private sexual organs. She said such chemicals cause diseases like cancer.
  • She reported that HIV/AIDs prevalence rate in Mpigi District has increased from 10.2 per cent to 11 per cent and added that couple testing is still low because of fear of disclosure.

MPIGI. Ms Lillian Nakaweesi, the deputy resident district commissioner in Mpigi District has said her office investigated and found that some people infected with HIV/AIDs in the area use waragi when swallowing ARV drugs.
She said it is very risky because it causes health complications.

She was speaking during World AIDS Day celebrations held at Njeru Church of Uganda Primary School, Bukasa parish in Kituntu Sub-county on Thursday under a theme: “Joining hands to scale up HIV prevention.”
She warned: “Our research at the district shows you take ARVS with waragi. You should stop this as soon as possible. You will not get healed when you are still using these sachets of unknown drinks. This is suicide and should be jointly addressed before it is too late.”

Mr Laban Magezi, chairperson of Mpigi Forum for People Living with HIV/AIDs Network (MPIFOPHAN) urged government to extend counselling services to both primary and secondary schools to curb the rising rate of HIV prevalence among youths between ages of 12 and 25.
“We lack counselors yet it is vital in fighting AIDs in the country since parents don’t have time for the affected children. Let us come up to save our young generation through extending counseling services and other prevention measures,” he said.

Ms Grace Nabisere, projects officer at Joy Initiatives Uganda advised couples to stop using chemicals with intention of enlarging their private sexual organs. She said such chemicals cause diseases like cancer.
She reported that HIV/AIDs prevalence rate in Mpigi District has increased from 10.2 per cent to 11 per cent and added that couple testing is still low because of fear of disclosure.