UHMG’s HIV/AIDS program officially launched the Boda-Boda “Get ready to roll” campaign in the West-Nile districts of Nebbi, Arua, Koboko and Moyo where a total of 104 master trainers and peer educators were graduated after receiving HIV prevention training. The training built their capacity in behavioral change communication using IPC approaches with focus on partner reduction, correct and persistent use of condoms as well as demand generation and referral for HCT (HIV counseling and testing), Medical Male Circumcision (MMC), Sexually Transmitted infections (STI) management. The graduates received certificates of recognition, crash helmets and reflector jackets all branded with ‘I am Protected are you?’ The idea is to have them protect their lives from both HIV/AIDS as well as road accidents. They will be moving billboards for protection and condom use throughout targeted major towns in Uganda.
These peer educators will share HIV prevention information on with their fellow colleagues, customers and anyone else they interact with during the course of their work. At each launch, the four tent model was applied where education on malaria, maternal and child health, family planning and HIV prevention and care was carried out. UHMG also used the opportunity to carry out bar activations promoting the protector condom as well as exhibition of its Good life products. A number of sales for products especially for the protector condom were made totalling to 200 cartons, as well as Aquasafe. UHMG will work with district leadership and the Boda-Boda associations to ensure that this project is a success. On this occasion, the Boda-Boda associations of Moyo, Koboko and Nebbi received monetary contributions from district leaders towards their SACCOs to enable members grow their income generating activities. The helmets were a gift from USAID/PMI who found them ready to be incinerated at an army camp in Nakasongola.
