The AIDS Pandemic in Uganda

AIDS is registered as one of the major human
catastrophes facing the world today, its
consequences far reaching. In Uganda successful
fight against
HIV/AIDS is well recognised. By 1991 Uganda s
HIV/AIDS prevalence stood at about 30% in some parts
of the country. This had reduced to about 5% by
2001. This success largely depended on the social
and interpersonal networks referred to as social
capital. The book documents the role of NGOs in
mobilising social capital at different levels and
its effect on HIV/AIDS challenges in Uganda. A major
finding in the book is that the ways
individuals and groups are connected and interact
with each other are important mechanisms for
alleviating HIV/AIDS. From Uganda s story there are
three lessons learned; 1. Earlier contextual
explanations such as witchcraft
as the cause of the disease which had dominated
community approaches to HIV/AIDS are demystified;2.
Fighting HIV/AIDS goes beyond the
medical profession to include the social
approaches;3. Emerging issues such as
religious fundamentalism have negative impact on
Uganda s success story and may explain new trends in
HIV/AIDS prevalence