Nabimanya scales heights of GBV, HIV/AIDS activism with #iKnowKati campaign

By Allan Gumizamu

For over 10 years, Humphrey Nabimanya founder and CEO of Reach A hand Uganda (RAHU)has been a consistent figure in the fight against the HIV virus and Gender-Based Violence in Uganda through education, positive messaging, and preaching against stigma and discrimination.

His activism against the scourge has attracted the attention of fellow activists in the fight, which has landed him podium appearances at a number of international events and conferences.

Humphrey Nabimanya putting on a white t-shirt entertaining residents of Kasenyi landing site at the #iKnowKati campaign

As CEO of RAHU in collaboration with partners, ran the #iKnowKati campaign that happens every December to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. This year’s #iKnowKati HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention Campaign is inspired by the UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy (2021-2026), which emphasizes the need to minimize inequities in order to end the HIV pandemic by 2030.

On Friday last week, Nabimanya and his group gathered at Kasenyi to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS, which has ravaged the area despite so many years of effort. Reach A Hand has increased awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment as well as providing services on that day through numerous activities such as HIV testing and counseling, behavioral change communication and information dissemination, and condom distribution.

While addressing the people of the Kasenyi landing site, Nabimanya revealed to the young people that the message has always been prevention. Abstinence, condom use, and staying committed for those already in long-term relationships. He added that evidence continues to demonstrate that young people are sexually active, resulting in high HIV prevalence among them, with girls being most affected and susceptible. This is because adolescent girls, young women, and women have always been more vulnerable due to gender inequalities instilled in some of our archaic cultures which limit their capacity to engage in self-protective behavior with cultures that limit sexual consent, the inadequacy of HIV-related services especially emergency services such as Pre-exposure prophylaxis, delays in enrollment to ART among others. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already bad situation with restrictions on the movement of people and services, enclosing victims with their abusers thus increasing the overall risk of new HIV cases. He thanked the people of Kasenyi for turning in large numbers to engage in the free services RAHU offered.

Residents of Kasenyi landing site at the #iKnowKati campaign last friday

With roughly 37.6 million people living with HIV worldwide, HIV/AIDS remains a public health threat. Young people will continue to play a critical role in reversing this trend. Young people aged 15 to 24 are thought to account for more than half of new HIV infections, and up to a third of HIV/AIDS patients are under the age of 25. Young people are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hundreds of people tested for various diseases at the #iKnowKati campaign at Kasenyi landing site and surrounding areas

The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to target young women and girls. Adolescent girls and young women accounted for over 29% of all new HIV infections in 2020, while young women accounted for 79 percent of new HIV infections among young persons aged 15-24 years. (Uganda AIDS Commission, 2021) Gender inequality and violence against women are at the heart of these alarming figures. Girl’s and women’s poor socioeconomic level continues to impede their ability to adopt and maintain HIV prevention behaviors. The Ministry of Health has remained strategically focused on confronting and tearing down such inequities that continue to support the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, in collaboration with other government agencies and non-state organizations.

The Journey so far

Born in Katereza, Rwampara District, Nabimanya started advocating for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS and girl child rights while still in Secondary School. Nabimanya boasts when someone talks about AIDS, they would be talking about something which he has advocated for.

Also a media personality, Nabimanya has always used every chance he gets while at various media houses to speak out on HIV, GBV, and what can be done to stop its spread