US HIV/AIDS Group Protests Museveni's Changing Approach to Fighting the Killer Disease

President Yoweri Museveni's recent visit to the United States of America was met by protests by Washington-based experts and activists on global health and HIV/AIDS. The protests were spurred by concerns raised by a number of Ugandan organisations and human rights groups about the President's apparent change of approach and attitude towards the fight against HIV/AIDS. "Ugandans deserve respect and recognition for their hard work in fighting HIV/AIDS, yet it is wrong for the sponsors of Museveni's speech to praise his leadership on AIDS," said Dr. Paul Zeitz, Executive Director of the Global AIDS Alliance. "In Uganda, President Museveni and his wife have ample opportunities to express their polarising and stigmatising opinions, so why should Museveni be given a platform to do so in the US?" he said. While in the US last week, the President addressed several organisations on AIDS policy.

However, Global AIDS Alliance took exception of one his speeches. "The sponsors of his talk, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), Africare, Africa Society, and Constituency for Africa are misguided in choosing to honour President Museveni," Dr. Zeitz said.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW), in a letter to President Bush prior to his meeting with President Museveni, urged the US president to raise human rights concerns. The human rights group noted that "President Museveni's statements and Parliament's proposed criminalisation of HIV transmission will only undermine the fight against a worsening epidemic by creating an environment of blame and discrimination."