Risky lifestyles and stigma fuel one of Uganda’s highest infection rates

Lira City in northern Uganda has an alarming prevalence of HIV at 12%, significantly higher compared to the national average. Authorities have sounded the alarm over the growing health crisis, attributing the surge to risky behaviors and societal challenges as they call for urgent action and responsible lifestyles to curb the epidemic.

A City Struggling with a Health Crisis

The high HIV prevalence in Lira City has become a major concern for local leaders and health officials. According to Hillary Okelo, the city’s HIV focal point person, a number of behaviors were responsible for this problem, which included commercial sex work and other risky activities.

The majority of the population are depressed,” Okelo said. “Many turn to casual sex for fun or as a means of survival, often without considering the consequences. This has fueled the rising HIV infections in the city.”

Shocking still, reports say some married people have engaged in prostitution during the day when their spouses are at work, complicating matters even more as authorities try to find a way to resolve the issue.

Emerging Hotspots for Risky Behavior  
Massage parlours and saunas have been identified as key hotspots for high-risk activities in Lira City. According to Okelo, these establishments have become notorious for behaviors that expose patrons to HIV. 

“Massage parlours have turned into serious hotspots. What goes on inside there is alarming, and it reflects the overall situation in the city,” he said.

Adding to the complexity, Lira City Deputy Town Clerk, Lillian Ocare, highlighted the increasing number of male sex workers, especially among the youth.

“Many of them are looking for an easy way to earn money or achieve a better lifestyle,” Ocare explained. “Unfortunately, this trend is contributing to the high HIV rates in our community.”

A Youth Crisis in the Lango Subregion

The crisis is not confined to Lira City, as more than 100,000 people are reportedly living with HIV in the Lango subregion. Worse still, 10% of those affected are between 20 and 24 years old, pointing out how vulnerable young adults have become.

Ocare said there was a need for immediate interventions targeting those in that age bracket as one way of reversing the trend and adopting healthier choices.

Military Raises the Alarm

The crisis has also received attention from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, which is increasing efforts to protect its personnel against HIV. Major Solomon Kandole, the deputy director of HIV/AIDS in UPDF, warned soldiers against risky behaviors during the launch of an ART clinic at Lira Military Barracks.

We want healthy soldiers to guarantee the security of our nation,” Maj Kandole said. “Commanding sick soldiers is one of the hardest tasks. Leaders must take the lead in promoting awareness and prevention.”

The clinic is part of a broad strategy to offer comprehensive care and support to those infected, while reducing new infections in the armed forces.  

The Challenge of Stigma

Despite the still-running awareness campaigns, stigma continues to be a major obstacle to people living with HIV in Lira City. Many of them say they face discriminations in their communities, which make it hard to access care and even discourage others from getting tested or seeking treatment.

Authorities and activists are calling for intensified education campaigns to handle stigma and foster acceptance, saying the fight against HIV is everyone’s business.

The Way Forward: A Call for Change

Leaders in Lira City are encouraging the people to live responsibly and avoid practices that make them susceptible to acquiring or spreading HIV. It is believed that community-based programs need to be strengthened and health services increased.

We need to rethink our choices as a community,” said Ocare. “The future of our city depends on our collective effort to combat this epidemic.”

As Lira City confronts one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Uganda, the urgent need for action has never been clearer. From addressing risky behaviors to tackling stigma, the path forward will require commitment and collaboration at all levels of society.