There are over 1.8 million people in Uganda living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS has had a devastating impact on Uganda, leaving over 1,000,000 children orphaned. Women are particularly affected by the epidemic in Uganda, representing 59% of those infected. Young women in Uganda are 3x more likely than young men to contract HIV.

People living with HIV & AIDS in Uganda not only face difficulties related to treatment and management of the disease, but they also have to deal with AIDS related stigma and discrimination, visible at all levels of society from families and local communities to the private sector and even the government. As well as hurting those affected, such attitudes are a major hindrance to prevention and treatment efforts.

To help combat this PET-Uganda seeks to mainstream HIV/AIDS issues and concerns accross all PET projects. The following initiatives are in place:

• HIV/AIDS education
• Living positively
• Counseling for people infected or affected by HIV
• Income generating activities

Former volunteer Kevin Dunbar attending a birthday party at a home for HIV+ children

PET-Uganda co-ordinates a support group for 100 HIV + women. The function of the group is to pool finances as a means of offering a rotating loan to group members whom are prohibited from accessing loans from public institutions. Each member has access to the funds for a set period in order to invest in small business ventures. The finances are then repaid and alternate to the next group member to invest. This is extremely important in Kisoro District where women traditionally have little voice in the community. Here at PET-Uganda we believe development can only occur after women are empowered in society.

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