Inspiration tion

Th e B i g Q u e s
www.straight-talk.or.ug

corner do you
How many people ith in
w
Noreen Kaleeba founded The Aids plan to have sex
Support Organisation (TASO). This mother your life?
of three whose husband had died of
in,
AIDS, was so fearless and strong. If you are not a virgs have
ho w m an y partner
TASO is now the largest NGO caring for ve had more
people with HIV/AIDS in Africa. It has you had? If you ha istake, a
a m
than one, was it How many
supported over
150,000 people since deliberate choice? before you
1987. Kaleeba has more will you havet after?
won many prizes for marry? What abou
her work. st stories.
Send us your hone
Let's be inspired by
WIN A TERM'S E
Noreen. Can you think
of a creative way to
o. 4 April 2
007 ITE TO TH
FEES. WRN
solve a problem in your Vol. 14 N ,
BIG QUESTIO
school or community? BOX
STRAIGHT TALK PO
22366 KAM PA LA

Would you marry !

without testing? NO R e m e m
ith e
k
v e r y
r you
partne er!
bigg
ber, w of H IV gets s of H IV.
er
a ve, your ris ers are driv
h n
In the last Straight Talk, le part
Multip
we asked you: Would you marry
without testing for HIV with your introduction ceremonies. Some parents are blinded
partner? by the gifts and end up exposing their daughters to
We received 328 letters from 214 boys and 107 HIV.
girls. We struggled to choose the winner! But in
the end we chose Seth, who is living with HIV, Healthy
and Lucy from Tororo Town College. They get a I am getting services from Uganda Cares Masaka.
term's school fees for their clear and
compassionate letters. Another 50 letter writers Those of us getting care look healthy. I hope to
win T shirts. complete my certificate as a church minister. When
my time comes to marry, I will consult my
Marrying without knowing your HIV status or counselors. I will not go anyhow and cause
that of your partner is very risky. Most of you said problems to myself and other people. Seth
you would never do it. But it happens a lot. It is
one of the drivers of HIV. Make sure you never Semugabi, Grace Bible Church Ministries
marry without testing with your partner.

Schools:
Star
Hornby SS, Kabale,
Drivers of the epidemic are those behaviours
that are pushing HIV to spread. Having many
Comprehensive
partners or an untreated STDs are also College, Kitetikka, Wakiso
behaviours that are driving the epidemic.
and Excel HS, Ntungamo
Each wins a foot
and net ball.
Winning letter
I had on and off fever and diarrhoea. Then my Winner
Winner Semugabi
Semugabi
parents died. I tested and found out that I have Seth
Seth"Living
"Livingpositively
positively
HIV. I would never marry anyone without telling may
maynot
notbebeeasy
easybut
butit
itis
is Read more responses on page 2
responsible.
responsible.This
Thisis
ismy
my
her my status. If I married without testing, it would
second
secondyear
yearononARVs.
ARVs.My
My
Straight Talk in Mayuge
be very dangerous to her and to me as well.
skin
skinis
issmooth
smoothand andIIhave
have
If the person I want to marry is negative but she aababy
babyface.
face.If
Ifwe
wedid
didnot
not
does not know I have HIV, I would infect her. I test
testtogether,
together,youyouwould
would
would feel like a murderer! not
notknow
knowIIhave
haveHIV.
HIV.

If she is positive, yet neither of us know, we will end Advice to others

up cross-infecting each other. I would give her my If a man and a woman test for HIV and one is
HIV and she would give me hers. Since I am on negative while another one is positive and they are
ARVs, I could even make her virus resistant to not married, I advise them to discontinue the
ARVs. Then they would not work well for her when relationship. The one who is positive should seek
she needs to start them. Again I would also be a advice on how to live positively.
murderer if I did not tell her and if I did not
encourage her to test. Parents
If parents forced me to marry without testing, I Journalists for a day: Nassozi Hanifa and
Everyone needs to test for HIV before marriage, would disobey them. Parents need to help their Ohafa Anthony interview Cissy Nange of Delta
since even people who have never had sex can children to test before bargaining for dowry. Some HS. This Straight Talk was edited by students in
have HIV. Many of us are born with HIV. men with HIV entice girls with money on Mayuge!
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Read about male circumcision on page 3. Be an informed adolescent. Protect your life.
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2Straight Talk, April 2007

I must test for HIV before marriage

Ninety-nine percent of
Straight Talkers said they Bad reasons for not testing
would not marry without A few of you said you would marry
testing for HIV. Good! without testing. Discuss them in your
ST Club. What do you think?
Cannot be sure Love
I believe no one is free from HIV When you are deeply in love, you feel safe.
apart from me. Habiyakare M, Nasiiwah B, S4, Comprehensive College
Hornby HS, Kabale Kitetikka, Wakiso.
We will be sure of our status I could be positive
If we test for HIV together, we can My parents died of AIDS and if we test, I could be
work together to prevent it. positive and she may dump me. Muyimbwa E, 18,
Nakiyingi L, Comprehensive S4, Comprehensive College, Kitetikka, Wakiso.
College, Kitetikka, Wakiso
ARVs
Avoid accusations If I get HIV, I would take ARVs. Ssebabi E, S5, Jen
If we do not test, in future we may SS, Jinja.
realise we are infected, and each of
us will accuse the other. Atuhaire
R, 16, S3, Excel HS, Ntungamo
Life is precious Testing
I cannot judge a
book by its
Reality check
• Love does not m
I value my life more than anything together is the cover, so I will ake you safe
test with my from HIV.
else. Sanyuka R, Kitante Hill Sch, only way I can
• ARVs do not cu
Kampala be sure she is partner. DF re, are
Mande, S6, expensive and yo
negative. G u take them
I love life Chair ST club, for life.
Irankunda, • Get counselling
I would not want to die young. 19, Chairman, Sacred Heart if you have
Mulebi P, S6, King Ford HS, SS, Kabwohe lost your parents
ST club, or think you
Mukono Bushenyi. might have HIV.
Kisoro Vision
School
To avoid problems in future
Our children would blame us for
our irresponsible behaviour. Nyadoi

Tough decision
F, S6, Yale HS, Kayunga

ed
eople get infect
Many young p they have just got
with H IV when because they do would
is A few of you said youHIV. Are these ideas realisti
c?
married. This getting together. marry a person with e. If you decide no t to ma rry a
e and car
not test before ly way you can People with HIV need lov
ant, I would go
person wi th HI V, is it
n
Testing is the o H IV. Even if you When I want to get pregn
Na kayima M, discrimination?
yo u h a ve for artificial insemination.
know if g sex, it is never to
have bee n h a v in S6, Busoga HS •How easy would it be for
om s
too late to test
.
tions, I would
abstain or use cond
If I have finished introduc life?
ms.
marry him and use condo
HS , Kabale ST
Discuss all this in your
M, Ho rn by
I would not marry a Habiyak are
ms correctly club.
If she accepts to use condo
partner with HIV and consistently, for the res t of our lives.
And protect yourself
from
h
Over 320 Straight Talkers Don't want to suffer Wasukira A, Mbale SS
ever facing such toug x
se
said that if they tested I saw my mother suffer and die of we abstain decisions by delaying
I would love him provided until you have fin ish ed
negative for HIV, they AIDS. I decided to be very careful , S4, rious
would not marry a girl or with my life. I would rather loose my from sex. Namitala P, 16
Kitetikka, studies and found a se t
en sive College, me mb er to tes
boy friend who tested fiancé than suffer for the rest of my Compreh partner. Re
Wakiso be for e yo u sta rt sex
positive. life. Nanjobe J, S6 Vacist together each
er wife with and have sex only with lp to
Save my life You only live once If she allows me to get anoth other. Condoms also he
ch ildr en. Ny ombi S,
It would be a good chance for me You can fall in love again, but not whom I can have protect.
to know early to save my life. S1, Luzira SS, Ka mp ala
have life again. Kampi R, S6,
Natuhwera Jasenta S2, 16, Busoga HS
Excel HS, Ntungamo

Say NO if parents want you to marry without testing

You are brought up to I should be able to decide whom to I would obey my parents
respect your parents. This marry. Achan C, Busoga HS, Maybe my parents trust the girl.
is good. But could you Kamuli Elweru E, Kampala Editor:
disobey them to save your Elweru, people do not have sex in
life? Most of you said YES. My parents drive their lives, I drive public that other people get to know
mine. Musana P, 26, Dreamland and many children are born with HIV.
I would refuse Bugaaki HS, Kyenjojo "Trust" does not protect from HIV.
I would explain to them the Left: This girl agreed to marry if her
dangers in marrying without I would raise the issue with a village
boyfriend tested for HIV. But he refused.
testing, giving them examples in our leader. Obwonya Patrick, Day
Her parents then insisted on going ahead
community of people who have Star Christian Based SS, Hoima
with the introduction. At the event, the girl
been infected that way. took the microphone and announced that
Kyokusiima M, 17, S4, Excel I would take my parents to court.
she would not marry him! Good family
HS, Ntungamo Alinaitwe J, 15, S2, Ibaale SS,
discussion and HIV testing would have
When I reach the age of marriage, Fort Portal. Bukedde, December 2, 2006 prevented this confusion.
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
 3Straight Talk, April 2007

Winner HIV testing is smart

This Straight Talk was edited

No 2 by 15 students from Mayuge.

They were journalists for a
day! Here are their interviews
with students from Rena
College, Bunya SS and and
Delta HS on testing for HIV.

Why I have not tested

I could be positive and lose my
girlfriend. K I, S1, 14, Delta HS

I fear the results. Many children

are born with the virus. GM, 15, "Think criti-
S3, Rena College cally," says ST
trainer Godfrey
Don't know why Walakira to the
I am not sure of the logic behind Mayuge stu-
testing. Hasakya Musa, 17, S4, dents. "Your life
Bunya SS is in your hands
and there are
I am abstaining no spare parts!"
I have never had sex. Naikoba
Lucy A, Tororo Adiya • Health workers can talk about me I tested with my girlfriend and we
Town College I am abstaining and born again. in the village. are both negative. Maganda
Will only test after S6 with my • I don't have time Ayubu 17, S4, Bunya SS.
future wife. Nalusida A, S4,
We liked Lucy's letter
Rena College I have tested
because she knows it I had a skin rash which worried me.
would be painful to leave a I fear my parents
... because my mother separated Out of free will, I had an HIV test. I
boyfriend just because he with my father and she told me he tested positive. I am abstaining from
had HIV. She is also aware In P7 I had sex and got candida. has HIV. I tested negative. Mukose sex. WF, 15, S3, Rena College
of STIGMA and the need to My parents took me for Felix, S5, Bunya SS
comfort him. treatment. They said they would
not pay my fees unless I stopped
"I would console him so he the relationship with the boy. Testing for HIV: HIV but you do
pea ce of min d: You could be worried you have
does not feel discriminated Now what if I acquired HIV? TB, • Giv es you
against. He also needs to S2, 15, Bunya SS not!
should force you.
know my love for him was • Is done willingly. No one e else knows.
are given only to you. No on
not just fun. I advise him to Other reasons: • Is confidential. The results
hurt. It is just a slight prick.
look for a lady of his status. • The health centre is very far. • Drawing blood does not
ore and after the test.
I cannot marry him." • I have never had unprotected • Comes with counselling bef
sex

Male Circumcision: Know about it s has a

tr ue th at a ci rcumcised peni foreskin. HIV likes to enter through
Is it pass
the HIV cannot ected the foreskin, especially when it is
hard skin that ve un pr ot rolled back. So circumcision
you ha
through when 6 , S 1 , S t P eter's reduces the surface area through
t R, 1
sex? Emonya no true!
t
ro Editor: It is which HIV can enter.
College Toro
has been A circumcised man must heal
tr u e th a t a person who S when
Is it get AID completely before resuming or
d does not aswa
circumcise o u t a c ondom? W starting sexual intercourse. This
x w it h SS,
he has se K a baale Sanje takes 4-6 weeks. He can still get
4 , S 1 ,
Alex, 1 true! infected with HIV. So he needs to
or: It is not
Rakai Edit avoid having many partners and
sex with any woman whose HIV
say that an
Many people HIV status he does not know. He needs
d person gets
uncircumcise u m ci sed one? to use condoms and test for HIV.
ea si ly th an a circ He needs to be as careful as an
m o re l HS,
, 16, S3, Exce e!
Muhangi N tru uncircumcised man.
Editor: Partly
Ntungamo.
Male circumcision is an ancient custom. This picture is Circumcised men with HIV can
Yes, you have many questions from the Egyptian pyramids and is 5000 years old! pass the virus to women. So a man
about male circumcision. You have being circumcised does not protect
started asking because you have about sex if you are already partners as possible. The steps to his female partner.
heard something new. circumcised. No. For now it only protect yourself from HIV are the
means that you have to keep same as before. Female circumcision does not
The new information is that protecting yourself against HIV, protect against HIV. Female
doctors in Rakai, Kisumu and South whether you are circumcised or circumcision has no health benefits
Africa have found that males who not. What has changed is our
and is very dangerous to the
are circumcised are about 60% less understanding of male circumcision.
female.
likely to get infected with HIV than Boys and men who are Male circumcision is a surgical
uncircumcised males. circumcised can still get HIV. So procedure that involves partial or
This article is by STF staff,
every boy or man, circumcised or complete removal of the foreskin of
Stephen Kasoma, Youth Delegate
What does this mean for you? not, needs to delay sex for as long the penis.
to the International Consultative
This new finding does not mean as possible, test for HIV with their Meeting on Male Circumcision in
that you should run for partner before starting sex, use a It reduces the chance of HIV
infection by removing the delicate Switzerland, March 2007
circumcision or become relaxed condom, and have as few sexual
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
4 Straight Talk, April 2007
Dear
SYFA
3666
2236
Boxx 22
O. Bo
P.P. O.
M P A A L
KK AA M P A L A
HIV and withdrawing
Can a male get HIV if he withdraws
before releasing sperms?
Munyezinga R, 19, Kasese HS
Yes. The boy can get HIV from the
female simply by putting his penis in
her vagina. He does not have to
ejaculate. The virus in her fluids can
be enough to infect him. Do not
gamble on withdrawing before
releasing semen. It is risky for you
and the girl.
Love
There is a girl I love very much.
When she is not near me, I fail to
concentrate on anything. When she
is with me I tremble and cannot do
anything sensible even when she
tells me to pretend that she is not
there. These feelings have totally
confused me. Please help me.
Nabimanya E, 16, S2, Excel HS.
Ntungamo
It is normal to be in love, but you
need to find a way of controlling
your feelings. Try not to over-focus
on the girl you love. Try to look at
her like any other person. Also try to
get involved in activities like sports
to occupy your mind.
Virginity
Is it true that a girl loses virginity
when she rides a bicycle?
Aimo AD, Buloba SS
Advice to Myriam
We received 140
letters advising
Myriam. Thanks for
your responses. 20
letters win T-shirts.
Over 100 letters
advised Myriam to
talk to her mother.
Others told her to
be assertive and
stand firm against
her former teacher.
Advise GMJ
I made my girlfriend
pregnant and yet we are
both schooling. She wants to
have an abortion which is
strictly forbidden in my clan.
What can I do to save her
No, virginity is only lost when one
has penetrative sex, not by riding
bicycles.
Strange reaction
I have a friend who over reacts
when he is seated with girls. His eyes
become red. What’s up with him? Is
he a night dancer? Becky,
Namasumbi SS, Kampala
No, he is not a night dancer. This
could be due to the feelings he has
for the girls. Advise him to control
his feelings by engaging in sports
and not to think about sex. He
should also try to look at girls as his
sisters.
Pregnancy and Hard at work: “What shall we say?” Mayuge students
answering Dear SYFA questions.
urination
Is it true that if you have sex with a
boy and the sperms (semen) enters
your vagina and then you urinate
immediately after sex, you can’t get
pregnant or infected with HIV/
STDs? Batamuliza V, S2, 16, St
Lawrence SS, Mityana
No! The urinary canal is different
from the vagina. The urinary track
leads to the bladder. The vagina
leads to the uterus. These are two
systems that never meet. When you
have sex, the sperm goes into the
vagina and then the uterus. Urine
comes from the bladder through
the urethra. So, even though you
urinate, the sperm will continue
their way to the uterus and the Our journalists from Mayuge: Atalo Hellen, Nekesa Martha, Mutenyo
fallopian tubes and if there is a Dickson, Mulungi Ivan and Akongai Grace (Rena College); Ohafa
mature ovary, it will get fertlised, Anthony, Okumu Sam, Kauma Marion, Byogero Musula, and
and you will get pregnant. Nuwagaba Greffen (Bunya SS); Walusaga Rogers, Nassozi Hanifa,
Kamya Abedi, Kauma Susan, Isabirye Sulayi (Delta HS).
Feelings for opposite sex
Is it true that when you grow up may not have been attracted to The feelings will come when you
and don’t get feelings for the anyone yet. Also, your values may are ready.
opposite sex, you are abnormal and not allow you to have that
the only solution is seeing a doctor? attraction now. Thanks to the student
Namukasa P, Conbert Modern This is however normal and counselors and a special thanks
School, Entebbe, Wakiso healthy. Concentrate on your to Rena College, Mayuge, for
Feelings come with attraction. You studies. hosting us.
The advice I have is to value your
life more than money. When this
man comes to your home, keep
Other winners:
your distance. Go away from home Nagawa H, Hoima, Amulen J,
Bethel Institute, Iganga,
or to private room until he leaves. If
Dfuliga M, Nyangilia SS,
Winning advice this fails, do not let the issue Koboko, Nyandoi F, S6, Yale
Dear Myriam, life is what you make burden your mind on top HS, Kampala, F, Khamis, 19,
it. If you keep in the dark, of your studies. Sit down
S6, Duhaga SS, Hoima,
your former teacher will and tell your mother. If Kesiime M,16, S1,
win your soul. But never you have Kyakabadiima Parents SS,
let anyone take advantage responsible Kagadi, Kibaale, Ecengu GS,
of you over non-issues. relatives, you can Soroti SS, Atuhaire B, St
God is the giver of also let them Gerald’s Rukungiri, Ibanda
S, MUK, Muhangi N,
everything and will know. Take this
provide your mother with challenge as a Kyamate SS, Ntungamo,
another job if she is Dramiga H, Yumbe SS,
learning experience. Do not stop
Hakwa E, Buwembe SS,
sacked. Wake up. You are fighting. Keep praying as I pray for
Busia, Okullu A,
smelling a rat. Atugonza you. Remember life is precious. Kiryandongo Tec, Inst,
Meresi, Kasese HS Guard it well. Simon Peter Masindi, Nyaburu M, Dede
Dear Myriam, sorry about the Kakooza, Sacred Heart SS, Bugiri and Ndyamahaki
trauma you are going through. Seminary, Mubende D, Rukungiri
future and mine? GMJ, St
Dominic Savio SS Masaka
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