Youth living with HIV in Teso are defying stigma and rebuilding their lives through resilience, vocational alternatives, and institutional support. In the Teso sub-region of Uganda, stigma associated with HIV remains a harsh reality, but young people are finding new paths to normalcy and acceptance.
For many, the discovery of their HIV-positive status is devastating. Fear, confusion, and rejection—sometimes from their own families—compound the already difficult burden. Youth living with HIV in Teso often find themselves isolated, misunderstood, and discriminated against. Some have even fled their communities to escape judgment.
Lucy*, 18, from Amuria District, learned she was HIV-positive just a month before her Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams in 2024. The news shattered her spirit. Despite earning a first grade, she couldn’t return to school due to fear of rejection. Though her school offered a scholarship, she opted for a vocational path instead. “I felt like my life had ended,” she says. Her temporary job at a pork joint only deepened her pain when her employer exposed her status, relegating her to washing dishes away from customers.
Similarly, Alice*, 23, discovered her status during antenatal care at age 19. Her father’s reaction was particularly cruel—he spread the news publicly and withdrew his financial support. “That broke me. I have never forgiven him,” she says. But with her mother’s love and three HIV-negative children to care for, Alice is moving forward.
Winniee*, 21, was born with HIV and discovered her status at 10. With the support of her parents, she began treatment early. However, she faced a new challenge in boarding school where fear of stigma led her to skip medication. “I didn’t want classmates to see me taking pills,” she says, underscoring how stigma can lead to dangerous non-compliance.
The Uganda AIDS Commission reports that 1,492,000 people are currently living with HIV in the country. Girls aged 15–25 are the most affected group. Encouragingly, national HIV prevalence has fallen from 18% in the 1990s to 5.1% today.
Health professionals in Teso are actively working to improve the situation. Dr. Joseph Omony, HIV clinical care coordinator at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, says initiatives such as community pharmacies and confidential school medication programs are helping young people adhere to treatment. “School matrons keep the learners’ medicine, protecting their privacy,” he explains.
Ms. Immaculate Ayoto, a counsellor at the hospital, emphasizes that stigma remains a barrier, especially for youth aged 15 to 19. “Many avoid medication to escape judgment, increasing transmission risks,” she warns. She stresses the urgent need for consistent community sensitisation to counter ignorance and misinformation.
Despite facing rejection, lost opportunities, and emotional trauma, youth living with HIV in Teso are choosing to rise. With support from organizations like TASO and Uganda Cares, and discreet interventions from regional hospitals, many are reclaiming their dignity and rewriting their futures. Their stories highlight the power of resilience—and the need for ongoing compassion and education in the fight against HIV stigma.
Names have been changed to protect the identities of the individuals.
