UGANDA: UGANDA: Economy hard-hit by HIV/AIDS

The health and agricultural sectors in Uganda had been badly affected, despite the fact that the country had managed to bring down the rate of infection, according to a recent UN Development Programme (UNDP) report.

The 2002 UNDP Human Development Report said the loss of labour because of HIV/AIDS has dealt a serious blow to agriculture.

A sample study carried out in five districts across the country last year showed that a large percentage of agricultural land had reverted to bush due to a shortage of labour to work it.

The socio-economic impact of the epidemic has been immense with nearly 80 percent of those infected with HIV/AIDS between the age of 15-45 years, the most economically productive age group, the report said.

According to the latest report by the Uganda AIDS Commission, 1.1 million Ugandans, are infected with HIV/AIDS.

The report added that death among parents and teachers had also impacted negatively on the education sector, the most noticeable impact being an increase in the rate of school dropouts.

Theme (s): Economy,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]