In Southwest Uganda, Young People Living with HIV Maintain Solidarity During COVID

A 20-year-old community health worker, Junior Noah, lives in Mbarara, the urban hub of southwest Uganda. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda, Mbarara was put under a strict lockdown, creating a public health conundrum. It was imperative to slow the transmission of the novel coronavirus. Yet the lockdown also put people living with HIV at risk of defaulting on their antiretroviral medication due to restrictions on motorized transport, which caused individuals to miss appointments at the health center.

“Before COVID-19, we used to visit each other and talk about how we were adhering,” Junior says. “We also worked together on other initiatives, such as educating people about HIV and raising funds. Unfortunately, the restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic upended the regularity and the sociability of such visits.”

“I visited a few colleagues while observing the social distancing guidelines and reminded them to always check in for their appointments and adhere to medication,” Junior continues. “The COVID-19 pandemic laid fertile ground for fear and stigma amongst people living with HIV due to misinformation that we were at a higher risk of dying if we contract coronavirus. Because of transport restrictions, many kept home isolated, which increased stress. Many who were earning lost their jobs and earnings thus depending on others for survival. Lack of food also made it hard to adhere to treatment.

There may not have been any other time since the start of this millennium when people living with HIV were more fearful and stigmatized than in 2020. Junior Noah

“There may not have been any other time since the start of this millennium when people living with HIV were more fearful and stigmatized than in 2020, when the lockdown was in place and economic paralysis ensued.” says Junior, who works as a tailor. “My business started to have fewer customers because many would rather buy food to feed their families than buy clothes. The few that supported my business were offering much less money for the same service they received before.”

Despite his own economic challenges, Junior dedicated himself to reaching out to other young people living with HIV.

“When the reality dawned on me that it would be increasingly difficult to meet my colleagues physically, I started using SMS [text messaging], phone calls, and social media to keep them engaged on issues of adherence, avoiding stigma, stress, and fulfilling their appointments,” says Junior. “Even when the doctors were no longer giving counselling services at hospitals due to coronavirus protocols, we reached out to our colleagues in our own ways to provide counseling.

Even when the doctors were no longer giving counselling services at hospitals due to coronavirus protocols, we reached out to our colleagues in our own ways to provide counseling. Junior Noah

“Sharing experiences, especially in an isolation period like this one, helps reduce stigma,” says Junior. “Some days, I would go to the hospitals in town just in case there are other young people who need to speak to someone like me for counselling and psychosocial support.”