It is clear that this is a great innovation which will go a long way in the fight against the HIV/AIDS scourge.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic and its dynamics in Uganda constitute a critical and urgent development issue that demands decisive and unequivocal action at all levels of our society. The resulting political, social and economic imperatives should compel us to act with resolve and reverse its consequences on individuals, families and communities.

It is therefore crucial that we consolidate the holistic multi-sectoral approach if we are to halt the spread and damage caused by this dreadful epidemic. The disease continues to threaten the existence and development of humankind, particularly in the sub-saharan Africa. According to UNAIDS reports for 1998, a total of of 34 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the world, over 22 million of these are in Africa. More than 11 million Africans have already died of the disease. In Uganda, approximately 1.5 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, half a million have died since the advent of the epidemic.

It is important that we learn from our past experience, both positive and negative, in order to design better and more effective interventions and strategies that suit the Ugandan context in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Insights gained in STD, HIV/AIDS control and management strategies need to be shared by all stakeholders in order to facilitate greater inter-sectoral collaboration. This diversity of concepts, practices and solutions to AIDS epidemic compel us to seek ways in which we can learn from each other for better responses to the epidemic.