KALUNGU.
Health activists under AHF Uganda Cares have rekindled their demand for waiving tax levied on consignments of condoms imported into the country.According to Mr Henry Magala, the country programmes director at AHF Uganda Cares, though the government waived the taxes on importation of condoms, they are still stuck with the hefty charges they face in terms of verification fees for the condoms that come into the country.Mr Magala said continued levying of tax on condoms discourages people that would want to bring in free condoms and they are very sensitive to any charge .“We call upon the government to waive off any charges on condoms that enter into the country. We also ask the National Drug Authority to waive off inspection fees as well as it was done on importation fees.” he added.Mr Magala said if the inspection fees are removed , there will be more condoms brought in the country and fill the gaps that are in the community.This publication has established that AHF pays over Shs 300,000 for every batch of condoms,about Shs 5million for every 2 million imported condoms into the country. AHF imports over 50 million condoms in the past years since 2009.He however raised concern over complacency of citizens which he said has also led to a rise in new HIV/ Aids infections in the country.“Condoms are still the best option to people to keep safe during intimacy, but people are still reluctant on using condoms, which is the reason we’re still getting high numbers of new infections, yet they may be reduced significantly since the condom gives up to 95 percent protection and the International Condom Day which falls on February 13 should always be used to make more awareness campaign about condom use.’ He added. Dr Cecilia Nattembo, the regional medical director for Uganda Cares in South-Western region ,said to improve medical services and treatment of sexually transmitted infections in the region ,they have added another facility named Kalungu Wellness Centre which she said will be a specialized center for treatment of STIs.Mr Boniface Epuku,the programme lead for condom programming at the Ministry of Health, said the ministry is now implementing a comprehensive combinations approach to fight HIV/Aids , saying condoms remain the most effective preventive measure .“Effective condom use is the only tap which we can use to close new HIV infections, and Ministry is committed to ensure that the condoms are available, and the Ministry is considering procuring more condom dispensers,” He said He revealed that government procures about 200 million condoms annually.