An integrated HIV/AIDS Control Programme

In the heart of Uganda’s Mubende District, where the legacies of conflict linger in the lives of disabled soldiers and their families, the Children and Wives of Disabled Soldiers Association (CAWODISA) stands as a beacon of resilience and hope. Founded in 1997 as a grassroots response to the profound challenges faced by these families—ranging from economic hardship to health vulnerabilities—CAWODISA has evolved into a vital non-governmental organization dedicated to restoring dignity, fostering self-reliance, and building sustainable futures. With a mission to empower children, wives, and disabled veterans through multi-sectoral interventions, the organization operates across army-special areas in Mubende and Kiboga districts, offering services like vocational training, agribusiness development, and reproductive health education. At the core of its health-focused initiatives lies the Integrated HIV/AIDS Control Programme, a comprehensive effort designed to combat the HIV epidemic while addressing its interconnected social and economic ripple effects.

Launched as part of CAWODISA’s broader commitment to multi-sectoral HIV/AIDS programming, this initiative integrates prevention, care, and support services tailored to vulnerable populations, including families of disabled soldiers, adolescents, orphans, and persons with disabilities. Recognizing that HIV/AIDS thrives in environments marked by stigma, poverty, and limited access to healthcare, the program adopts a holistic approach. It mobilizes communities for life-saving interventions, provides emotional and nutritional lifelines, and promotes economic empowerment to break cycles of vulnerability. Funded through partnerships like the Civil Society Fund and aligned with national goals for HIV elimination, the program has reached thousands in Mubende, contributing to Uganda’s progress toward the 95-95-95 targets for HIV testing, treatment, and viral suppression.

Key Components of the Programme

The Integrated HIV/AIDS Control Programme is structured around seven interconnected pillars, ensuring that prevention efforts are reinforced by ongoing support and community engagement. Here’s a closer look:

1. Mobilization for HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT), Safe Male Circumcision (SMC), and Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (eMTCT) Services CAWODISA leads community outreach campaigns to encourage voluntary uptake of essential preventive measures. Through door-to-door sensitization, school-based workshops, and partnership with local health facilities, the program has boosted HCT rates by addressing myths and fears surrounding testing. SMC initiatives target men and boys in high-prevalence areas, while eMTCT services provide antenatal counseling, antiretroviral therapy for pregnant women, and postnatal follow-up to safeguard newborns—critical in a region where maternal health disparities persist.
2. Psychosocial Support for Individuals, Families, and Groups Affected by HIV/AIDS Living with HIV can isolate and devastate families, but CAWODISA counters this with tailored counseling sessions, peer support groups, and family therapy. These services help participants navigate grief, stigma, and mental health challenges, fostering emotional resilience. For families of disabled soldiers, where trauma compounds HIV-related stress, these interventions have been transformative, enabling open dialogues and renewed family bonds.
3. Safe Spaces for Adolescents, Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Dedicated youth centers serve as havens where adolescents and OVC can access confidential advice on sexual health, life skills, and GBV reporting. These spaces equip young people with knowledge on consent, healthy relationships, and HIV prevention, while integrating GBV survivors into protective networks. By creating environments free from judgment, CAWODISA empowers the next generation to make informed choices and seek help without fear.
4. Community-Based Health Care (CHBC), Including Nutritional Education and Support Extending beyond clinics, CHBC brings HIV care to doorsteps through trained community health workers who monitor adherence to treatment, manage opportunistic infections, and deliver nutritional guidance. In food-insecure households—a common reality for CAWODISA’s beneficiaries—the program distributes fortified supplements and teaches sustainable gardening techniques, ensuring that PLHIV (people living with HIV) maintain strength for daily life and viral suppression.
5. Family Support in Income Generation Activities (IGAs) Economic instability fuels risky behaviors, so CAWODISA links HIV-affected families to microfinance, skills training in tailoring, farming, and crafts, and market linkages. These IGAs not only generate income but also build long-term self-sufficiency, reducing dependency on aid and allowing families to afford medications and nutritious foods. Success stories abound of widows transforming small loans into thriving enterprises, lifting entire households out of poverty.
6. Sports and Recreation Services for Children, Adolescents, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Fun and physical activity are powerful tools for health promotion. CAWODISA organizes inclusive sports leagues, drama clubs, and recreational events adapted for disabilities, promoting physical fitness, teamwork, and HIV awareness through playful messaging. For women and children in soldier families, these activities provide joyful outlets, combat isolation, and reinforce messages on safe practices—all while aligning with Uganda’s holistic youth development strategies.

Impact and Vision Forward

Since its inception, CAWODISA’s Integrated HIV/AIDS Control Programme has not only curbed new infections but also woven a safety net for those already impacted, aligning with Uganda’s national AIDS control framework. By addressing HIV through an integrated lens—blending health, psychosocial, economic, and recreational elements—the initiative exemplifies how targeted, community-driven efforts can yield outsized results in resource-limited settings. As Uganda strides toward an AIDS-free generation, CAWODISA remains committed to scaling these services, advocating for inclusive policies, and partnering with global donors to reach even more lives.

For those inspired to support or learn more, connect with CAWODISA at info@cawodisa.org or visit their efforts in Mubende. In the words of the organization’s founders, this is about “restoring hope and confidence”—one family, one community at a time.