Uganda AIDS Commission

Mandate

The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) was established by Statute No 2 of 1992 and located under the Office of the President “to oversee, plan and coordinate” the multisectoral efforts.

Organization and administration

UAC is a corporate body and presently it is composed of 18 members appointed by the President. Members are drawn from the government and non-government sectors, People Living with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) and individuals who are selected for their outstanding expertise and commitment to the HIV/AIDS struggle. The Commission is chaired by a full-time Chairperson and, is serviced by a full time Secretariat. The Commission conducts business through three sub-committees namely: Finance and Administration, Advocacy as well as Policy, Research and Monitoring and Evaluation.

The UAC Secretariat

Established in 1990, the UAC Secretariat (UACS) is headed by a Director General who is also the Chief Executive and Secretary to the Commission. The role of the Secretariat is to implement the Commission's decisions and to advise on all matters relating to the role of UAC. The Director General is appointed by the President.

The structure of the UACS hinges on three Directorates: Policy, Research and Development which incorporates HIV/AIDS Information and Documentation; Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; and Finance and Administration.

Mission Statement

UAC exists to provide leadership in coordination of HIV/AIDS programs and activities of all stakeholders in Uganda through advocacy, joint planning, monitoring and evaluation for the eventual elimination of the AIDS scourge in Uganda.

This mission is translated into the following function areas:

• Guide policy formulation and establishment programme priorities
• Take the lead in national planning and monitoring
• Spearhead advocacy for HIV/AIDS activities
• Identify obstacles to the national response
• Mobilize and monitor resource allocation and utilization
• Foster linkages among partners
• Gather and disseminate information;
• Promote HIV/AIDS related research

Vision

The vision of Uganda AIDS Commission is the eventual elimination of HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

Goal

An effective coordination mechanism for the national response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Objectives and Outputs

To achieve its mission and goal, UAC develops objectives and strategies that largely target joint action with key stakeholders to promote consensus and shared perspectives while setting policies, standards, and guidelines for a harmonized and effective national response against HIV/AIDS. Several specific objectives are derived the following general objectives:

General Objectives

• To strengthen joint planning for a coordinated HIV/AIDS related service delivery at national and district levels.
• Ensure Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and national response at all levels.
• Ensure adequate resources for the national response.
• To promote development and monitoring implementation of supportive HIV/AIDS policies for the national HIV/AIDS response.
• To strengthen HIV/AIDS coordination for a harmonized national response at all levels in the country
• To promote and facilitate harmonized HIV/AIDS research into the epidemic and its management to support evidence-based policy and program development and implementation
• To elicit greater commitment to HIV/AIDS efforts at individual, organizational, sectoral and national levels
• Establish a streamlined knowledge and information sharing mechanism at all levels

Expected outputs

• Arising out of the Commission’s mandate and functions, the expected outputs are:
• Intensified advocacy for the HIV/AIDS national programme
• A scaled up capacity for sectors and districts to respond to the epidemic
• Strong sectoral, district, regional and global linkages for HIV/AIDS work
• Strengthened information gathering and sharing system for HIV/AIDS
• National policy on HIV/AIDS formulated and effectively implemented
• A strengthened national multi-sectoral research framework

Mode of operation

UAC embraces the principle of participatory coordination to ensure shared perspectives on the various issues of the national programme while promoting ownership among the various stakeholders. The coordination mechanism has evolved over the years through partner consultation to ensure harmony while focusing on a common problem.

National Priorities for 2000/1-2005/6

UAC will, for the current five years, spearhead the fight against HIV/AIDS under the guidance of the National Strategic Framework (NSF) for 2000/1 - 2005/6. This Framework was developed and adopted by key stakeholders in the country. It places the HIV/AIDS problem within the broader context of national development and is closely related to other national policies. The NSF identifies priorities for action under the following three Principal Goals:

1. Reduction of HIV prevalence by 25% by the year 2005/6.
• Promoting behaviour change (abstinence, faithfulness and safer sex) among the sexually active populations particularly young people aged 15-25;
• Reducing the current 2-4% risk of blood borne HIV transmission by at least 50% by the 2005/6;
• Reducing the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections by 25% by the year 200/6;
• Reducing the current 15-25% incidence of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) by a third by the year 2005/6;
• Reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS with a focus on children, youth, women and displaced communities;
• Promoting therapeutic and preventive HIV vaccine development and trials in the different categories of the population.
2. To mitigate the health and socio-economic effects of HIV/AIDS at individual, household and community level
• Providing care, support and protection of rights to at least 80% of the families most affected by HIV/AIDS.
3. To strengthen the national capacity to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic
   • Mobilizing governments, civil societies, and the private sector to reallocate and expand political action, financial commitment and programs to address HIV/AIDS at various levels;
   • Strengthening planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS activities in the various sectors at all levels;
   • Strengthening the information base on HIV/AIDS at national, district and lower levels;
   • Strengthening the capacity to undertake research related to HIV/AIDS at different field

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For more information:

Uganda AIDS Commission

Plot 213 Sentema Rd Mengo, Kampala

Box 10779

Kampala

Email: uacnadic@imul.com