The Uganda Aids Commission has encouraged religious leaders in Uganda to use their different platforms to preach against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

The call was made during the rolling out of the National HIV and AIDS action plan for the faith sector in Uganda, at the provincial secretariat in Namirembe.

The Uganda Aids Commission organized the meeting with the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda.

According to the 2022 Global HIV and AIDS Statistics, 1.3 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2022, while 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. 85.6 million People have become infected with HIV and 40.4 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the pandemic.

In Uganda, the HIV epidemic remains a great challenge with over 52,000 new infections registered in 2022.

With only 6 years to 2030, a deadline for a total end of HIV/AIDS, the country is doing all means possible to address this deadliest disease.

The Uganda Aids Commission in collaboration with the Interreligious Council of Uganda has rolled out the National HIV and Aids action plan for the faith sector in Uganda.

During the meeting, Dr. Sarah Khanakwa, Head of Resource Mobilization from the Uganda Aids Commission challenged religious leaders to use the pulpits God has availed to them, to preach against the HIV Epidemic.

Sarah attributes the high rate of new HIV infections to many factors including social behaviours and stigma. However, she says that faith leaders can play a big role in addressing this by 2030.

Serwanjja Charles the team leader for Public Health at the Inter Religious Council of Uganda says the significant position faith leaders hold in the community is an open ground the country should ride on to fight HIV/AIDS.

He called on the young people to abstain and understand their purpose in life.

Faith leaders expressed their point of action as far as ending the spread of HIV/AIDS is concerned.