Background
Globally, HIV/AIDS is recognized as a health issue that carries cultural, social, economic and political implications that impact on human and economic development. Yet economic, social, cultural and legal factors impact on HIV/AIDS interventions demanding for focused action from the affected sectors of society. However responses to the epidemic need to be harmonized to ensure consistency and equity in service delivery, promote delivery of integrated social and health services while minimizing on duplication of efforts to optimize on available resources. This can only be achieved through development of partnerships in an environment where each partner recognizes respective roles, responsibilities and mandates in fighting the epidemic.
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Experiences at global and national levels have shown that HIV/AIDS can only be addressed through the concerted efforts of governments, UN and bilateral organizations, medical, scientific and educational institutions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), the business sector, the media, cultural institutions and People Living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs). The role of the individual, the end point of all services, cannot be underestimated especially in adopting positive behaviours to prevent the spread of HIV and care to the infected and affected.
Uganda conceptualized this integrated approach to the
epidemic as early as 1987 leading to the development of
Multisectoral Approach to the Control of AIDS (
MACA doc) adopted by Parliament in 1992. MACA
calls for individual and collective efforts against the
epidemic and has served as the basis for the development
of periodic national HIV/AIDS programs and implementation
arrangements.
UAC was established in 1992 by
an Act of Parliament, to oversee and coordinate the multisectoral
efforts to ensure focus on a common goal through a harmonized
approach.
Uganda 's response to HIV/AIDS has been sustained by efforts from multiple partners at national, district and community levels from the government and non-government sectors. Many organizations were set up specifically to respond to HIV/AIDS while some programs were established under ministries, government departments and non-government organizations to address prevention and/or mitigation issues.
The 2001 inventory of HIV/AIDS agencies
( .pdf) put the figure of such agencies at about
700 though many community based initiatives were not captured.
Similarly many responses under organizations that were
not established to address health and socio-economic issues
are difficult to capture since HIV/AIDS related activities
are usually integrated in other services.
Consequently, the MACA policy has mobilized efforts through
government ministries and departments
, local and international civil society
organizations , faith-based organizations, organizations
of People Living with HIV/AIDS ,
development partners and
the private
sector . District and communities have initiated
and supported their responses and also support implementation
of initiatives by national level stakeholders. It is however
recognized that Uganda's modest achievements in fighting
the epidemic cannot be attributed to a single stakeholder
or even a cluster of stakeholders but the collective efforts
of all. Great emphasis is therefore put on participatory
coordination spearheaded by UAC to ensure a harmonized
focus on common goals, reduce duplication and ensure equity
in service delivery.
UAC spearheads processes for setting national priorities
and policy formulation and is also charged with spearheading
advocacy, resource mobilization and information dissemination
interventions; and fostering linkages between the various
actors. Partners from government and the non-government
sectors are guided by the National Strategic Framework
to develop programs in the identified priority areas.
Several government ministries are identified as lead actors
in the various areas to ensure a coordinated focus on
all areas. The Uganda HIV/AIDS Partnership currently enhances
joint planning, monitoring and evaluation of the national
program at national and sector levels with eventual on
district level.
Government ministries and districts,CSOs, FBOs, CBOs and
most bilateral agencies and United Nations (UN) have developed
and or support HIV/AIDS programs targeting different aspects
of the epidemic in the country. UAC coordinates these
efforts largely through consensus building on key issues,
involving key players at policy and technical levels.
Over the years, the country's response has been characterized
by high political commitment right from President of the
Republic of Uganda; a policy of openness about the epidemic
that enhances dialogues at program development and implementation
levels; a sense of commitment that resulted in the multiplicity
of partners in HIV/AIDS coordinated by Uganda AIDS Commission;
and tremendous technical, material and financial support
from development partners.
For further information
Synopsis of the epidemic and the response
20 years of HIV in Uganda
