In recent years the Ugandan government has been praised for its success in reducing the rates of HIV aids infections amongst the general populous. The government achieved its results through following its rigorous ABC campaign, ABC standing for Abstinence, Be faithful and Condoms.

However, the Ugandan Military has now faced criticism for its decision to bar HIV infected soldiers from taking part in some of its training programs. The military claim such a move was taken on humanitarian grounds so as to avoid shortening the lives of HIV/Aids sufferers, but many Ugandan aids activists argue that it is simple ignorance, which has prompted the move.

The activists point out that provided soldiers are taking the correct treatment for their condition, there should be no reason why they can’t take part in normal military training activities. A retired military General, Rubaranira Ruranga, who contracted HIV twenty years previous commentated: ‘Sufferers can remain very healthy, like me.’

In response, a Ugandan military spokesman stressed that the army did not ‘Segregate or in any way discriminate against HIV positive soldiers.’ With infection rates having fallen from 15% TO 5%, aids activists now hope that ignorance isn’t allowed to prevail within the military.