Bamasaaba cultural leaders warn that circumcision alone cannot prevent HIV/AIDS
The AIDS Commission also donated condoms to the cultural institution.
Mbale: Bamasaaba clan chairmen and ministers in the cultural institution have cautioned the community that being circumcised does not provide full protection against HIV/AIDS.
The spokesperson of the cultural institution, Hon. Steven Masiga, told this publication that clan chairmen and ministers issued a summary of key actions required to eliminate HIV/AIDS from the Bamasaaba community.
Masiga said the cultural leadership appreciates the support from the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC), whose funding enabled the Umukuka to organise a one-day workshop at Courts Hotel in Mbale City. During the workshop, leaders resolved to intensify the dissemination of HIV/AIDS information across clan structures throughout Bugisu region.
They also requested the Uganda AIDS Commission to continue supporting the Umukuka’s office to facilitate HIV testing within clans and provide continuous sensitisation on how to combat the disease.
With the traditional circumcision season approaching and schools closing for holidays, clan chairmen said this is the best time to take the training to grassroots communities.
The Uganda AIDS Commission provided UGX 10 million, which covered meals for participants, transport refunds for more than 70 attendees, training materials, and information dissemination.
The workshop was facilitated by UAC trainers led by Dr. Stephen Watiti, who represented the Board Chairman, and Dr. Peter Wakooba, part of the technical team delegated by the Executive Secretary of the AIDS Commission. Other facilitators included HIV focal person Wandwasi Robert and Dr. Waburoko, medical assistant to His Highness the Umukuka.
The Minister for Health in the cultural institution, Dr. Robinah Namome, outlined the workshop’s objectives and urged participants to test for HIV.
In his keynote address, Hon. Steven Masiga, the spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, noted that the Bamasaaba have lost many brilliant individuals to HIV. He warned that assuming circumcision offers complete protection is both culturally and medically misleading.
“Even in this hall, there are people living with HIV. They should have the courage, like Dr. Watiti, to educate others. If we keep quiet about the virus, we will not be helping Bugisu,” Masiga said.
He outlined common HIV-related symptoms, including memory loss, weight loss, excessive exhaustion, night sweats, mouth sores, and skin rashes.
His Highness Umukuka III Jude Mike Mudoma issued a directive requiring all clan chairmen to ensure that every individual undergoing circumcision is tested for HIV beforehand, noting that sharing blades during the ritual increases the spread of the virus. He appealed to the Uganda AIDS Commission to support this initiative.
The Umukuka and the clan chairmen thanked UAC Executive Director Dr. Nelson Musoba and his team for their continued support, but asked for additional assistance, saying many people in rural areas are being “depleted by AIDS due to ignorance.”
The AIDS Commission also donated condoms to the cultural institution.
The workshop secretariat included Dr. Namome (Minister of Health), Steven Masiga (Spokesperson), Hon. Sarah Manana, Hon. Irene Manghali, Hon. Moses Kutoi, and Dr. Waburoko.
