“Behaviour Change is key to tackling the Challenges” – Hon. Paul Mugambe, Mayor of Nakawa Division

On May 16th, Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative (ROM) joined other stakeholders at the Candlelight Memorial held at the Uganda AIDS Commission Headquarters in Ntinda, Kampala. The event served as a moment of reflection and solidarity with those who have lost loved ones to HIV/AIDS, while also reinforcing the national commitment to ending the epidemic.

Organized under the theme “Ending AIDS by 2030: Building a Sustainable HIV Response,” the event brought together partners from across the country to renew efforts in combating HIV through sustainable.

As part of the commemorations, ROM provided on-site HIV testing and counselling services, tuberculosis screening and screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These services were also extended to communities at Nakawa and Ntinda markets in the days leading to the main event, demonstrating ROM’s commitment to proactive, community-based health interventions.

Speaking at the memorial, Hon. Paul Mugambe, Mayor of Nakawa Division, emphasized the critical role of effective communication in the HIV response.

“As we commemorate the lives lost to HIV, each of us has a responsibility to use communication as a tool to drive change. It’s not just about making speeches, it’s about ensuring HIV messages reach every corner of our country.” He said.

ROM continues to play a pivotal role in Uganda’s HIV response through its integrated community model.