UNYPA, the Uganda Network of Young People Living with HIV/AIDS, has revealed plans to build a training facility for shs1.5 billion.
Speaking at the UYNPA Executive Director’s 20th-anniversary celebration of HIV/AIDS at Kampala’s Hotel Africa, Ruth Awori announced that the venue will also serve as their new home.
“This will be a center where training and education meet opportunity, empowerment, and connection but would also present a safe space for young people to interact as they learn, and pick knowledge from one another,” Awori stated.
She clarified that in addition to office spaces and training facilities, the building that will house their premises will also feature a resource center, safe spaces for young people living with HIV, and lodging options.
Awori claims that the shs1.5 billion will cover the cost of building the facility, buying land, and installing equipment.
Three-year strategic plan
The UYNPA Executive Director revealed the organization’s three-year strategic plan, which will run between 2024 and 2026, during the same event hosted at Hotel Africana.
“We can create new initiatives as the priorities of young people change thanks to this three-year strategic plan.” Our goal is to strengthen the livelihood and general well-being of young people living with HIV by advocating jointly, influencing policy, networking, collaborating, creating capacity, and exchanging information at all levels to support a determined response to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Although we have been accused of operating in silos, Ruth Awori stated, “We will be considering cooperation and joint advocacy.”
According to UYNPA board chair Paddy Masembe, the organization has improved the welfare of young people living with HIV over the past 20 years.
“Over the past 20 years, UYNPA has made significant contributions to the social, therapeutic, and counseling support of young people living with HIV. This illustrates the sheer number of youth we have impacted—20 years of annual outreach—that we have accomplished. We collaborate with more than 120 clinics nationwide,” Masembe stated.
“We have lawyers, doctors, innovators, teachers, politicians, and others in parliament today who have been supported by UYNPA.”
Dr. Vamsi Vasireddy, the Country Director for the US Department of Defense, promised to support UYNPA in its efforts to support youth living with HIV going forward.
“We ought to accept people for who they are without bias. You shouldn’t face discrimination because you’re a young person living with HIV, Dr. Vasmsi stated.
In addition to promoting beauty through the “Zero Discrimination” model campaign, UNYPA also hosted a beauty competition at the same event to combat stigma and discrimination against young people living with HIV.