It is now globally recognized that HIV/AIDS is not only a health issue but carries cultural, social, economic and political implications that have been observed to 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 optimized on available resources. This can only be achieved through development of partnerships in an environment where each partner recognizes her roles, responsibilities and mandates in fighting the epidemic

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 Organisations (NGOs) and Faith Based Organisations (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 provide care to the infected and affected

Uganda conceptualised 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 harmonised approach.

UAC spearheads processes for setting national priorities and policy formulation and is also charged with advocacy, resource mobilisation, information dissemination, 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 newly established Partnership Structure has enhanced joint monitoring and evaluation of the national program at national and sector levels and eventually district level.

Currently all government ministries and districts, a big number of local and international NGOs( doc), FBOs, CBOs and most bilateral agencies and United Nations (UN) have developed and or support HIV/AIDS programs targeting different issues of the epidemic in the country. UAC coordinates these efforts largely through consensus building on key issues, that involves all key players at policy and technical levels.

Over the years, the country's response has been characterized by high political commitment right from President Yoweri Museveni; 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.

20 years of HIV in Uganda