Since 1988, every first day of December is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV and remembering those who have died of the disease.United Nations Entebbe Support Base (UNESB) and the Regional Service Centre (RSCE) commemorated the day on December 4, 2019 under the theme “Communities make the difference”. 

The Executive Director UNAIDS, Ms. Winnie Byanyima, in her message to the world read by UNESB Head of Premises, Mr. Amadu Timbilla emphasized the role played by communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“Communities are the best hope for ending AIDS because communities have fought against HIV right from the beginning! Without communities, 24 million people would not be on treatment today. Without communities led by women living with and affected by HIV, we would not be close to ending new HIV infections among children, raising orphans and caring for the sick. On World AIDS Day, UNAIDS salutes the achievements of activists and communities in the struggle against HIV. We remember and we honour all those whom we have lost along the way. Activists challenged the silence and brought life-saving services to their communities. But the countless contributions by women and many others can never replace the responsibility of governments”. she said.

The Chief RSCE, Mr. Paulin Djomo read the Secretary General’s message to UN staff which clearly spelt out the need for continuous collaborative efforts in the struggle to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

“Communities around the world are at the heart of this response―helping people to claim their rights, promoting access to stigma-free health and social services, ensuring that services reach the most vulnerable and marginalized, and pressing to change laws that discriminate.  As the theme of this year’s observance rightly highlights, communities make the difference”.

The keynote speaker, Ms. Benta Achieng Aseto, pointed out acceptance, research and funding as ways communities can get involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. She implored the community to always make a point to do something throughout the year and not just on 1st December.

The mixed emotion event was multifaceted as the community heard testimonies from teenagers from The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) born with HIV.

Re-known Ugandan comedian Herbert Mendo a.k.a “Teacher Mpamire provided the laughter to the event that was attended by both uniformed and Civilian staff at UNESB.

Event was organized by a committee of staff including Mr. Yusuf Kaggwa the HIV/AIDS officer, colleagues from Entebbe Medical Services Unit led by Dr. Mohamed Fawzi Taha, Ms. Gemma Redolin Urbano, Mr. Fred Dratibi, Ms. Dorothy Ezataru and volunteer staff members including Ms. Susan Namusoka and Ms. Annet Namuhisha among others.