Eleventh Global Studies Conference

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS pandemic in Uganda has been understood as one mainly due to poverty. Originally submitted to Dana Cudney for the course “Desire, Love and Work II” at Laurentian University, this paper examines the influence of social factors on the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Uganda using research and empirical data acquired during a humanitarian mission in February 2018. More specifically, this study explores the effects of colonization and thereby religion on how local authorities responded to this pandemic, which may explain the current HIV statistics. The empirical data was collected through interviews and observations of men, women, and children in Mutungo, Kigungu, and Nakawuka; including HIV positive patients and residents of a women’s shelter. Poverty was clearly identified as an underlying cause for the current prevalence of HIV. For example, due to this, Ugandan villages only have a few medical clinics and families struggle to find enough money for medical visits and other costs like school fees. Empirical data also shows that cultural and religious beliefs lead to inaccurate sex education, which validates and sometimes encourages unsafe practices. Furthermore, this paper examines the connections between women’s rights and the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Uganda where gender roles seem to increase the likelihood of women contracting HIV. Based on these understandings, a successful approach against HIV/AIDS should acknowledge Ugandan religious beliefs, regional and cultural values as well as socio-economic challenges.