31 Jul Candlelight Day Memorial 2019
UGANDA CELEBRATES THE INTERNATIONAL CANDLELIGHT DAY 2019
UNASO and other AIDS Youth led organizations in conjunction with Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) celebrated the International Candle Light Day on 16th – 17th May 2019 under the theme; “Empowering the Youth to champion the end of new HIV infections”. As part of the activities to commemorate the event a Candle Light Memorial lighting event was held at the Constitutional Square in remembrance of all those we have lost their lives in the AIDS struggle.
The activities leading to and during the memorial included;
- Mass media campaigns: These were done through social media, radios, TV, press conferences, and newspaper supplements among others. The main aim was to hype up the message around HIV prevention, youth involvement and to drive numbers to the event
- Health Outreaches: These involved the provision of integrated HIV services including HIV testing, counseling and guidance and STI screening, cervical cancer screening, and family planning services. They were carried out in Katanga, Kisenyi and Katwe.
- Flash mobs: These were community awareness drives that were used to mobilize the people for the outreaches for free HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights services in selected areas, HIV sensitization and information about the theme of the CLM.
- Evening Candle lighting at the constitutional square:A ‘Torch’ was lit at the constitutional square on the 16th of May to symbolize memories of those who lost their lives to the HIV and AIDS pandemic. The Chief Guest at the function was the Irish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. William Carlos and the Government was represented by the Minister without Portfolio in the President’s Office, Alhaj Abdul Nadduli.
- Candle light March: This was held on the 17th of May, a day after the lighting of the Torch. The aim of the March was to mobilize communities towards the realization that HIV is still a big challenge in our communities. The Chief Walker was the Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr. Nelson Musoba.
- National stakeholder’s dialogue: The dialogue, held after the march involved Government ministries, departments and agencies including selected local governments, the private sector, AIDS development partners and the Civil society. An Interactive Café session was conducted aimed at leveraging the momentum and broadening the conversation with different stakeholders on cross cutting issues that affect the young people living with and affected with HIV in Uganda. The Chief Guest was the Chairperson of the HIV/AIDs Development Partners Committee, Ms. Jackie Katana.
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