Human rights group wary of the law of Uganda AIDS test

Human rights activists warned yesterday that there could be a resurgence of AIDS in Uganda, where a new law which they say is deficient in force in the African nation.

HIV in Uganda, AIDS prevention and control law, currently being debated by lawmakers that the mandate of testing for the disease but do not protect against discrimination or confidentiality of Human Rights Watch said in a statement.

"These provisions will ultimately prove counterproductive for reducing the burden of the HIV epidemic in the country," the statement said.

Human Rights Watch found evidence that focuses on alleged offenders, in particular, will be perceived as a coercive act that Ugandans will probably think twice before participating.

The measure requires the confidentiality of test results, but said Human Rights Watch is concerned that there are loopholes that ultimately could expose HIV-positive discrimination and even violent reprisals on the part of sexual partners.

The organization said that Uganda has made great progress against the disease in recent years, partly because the policies that the commitment of the community and encourage open discussion about AIDS. The new law, warned would "undermine the progress that Uganda was done in the last decade to respond effectively to the epidemic."