Deputy Speaker, Tayebwa has tasked the Minister of Health, Jane Aceng to bring a statement to Parliament next week to address concerns by some MPs about the small size of condoms in Uganda and educate the public on condom us ahead of the commemoration of World Condom Day slated for 13th February 2024.
“Since it is a national day, on a very serious note, protection is one of the preventive measures promoted by Government and I don’t know why colleagues you are laughing, only that it is a day I have never heard of being celebrated but I think Parliament is a platform which we can use to inform and educate the parliament about those issues, so Minister, bring a statement on this. And I know colleagues you use condoms. Some of you are even complaining about the sizes, maybe it can be the time we can highlight it to the Public that this is very critical in the fight against HIV,” said Tayebwa.
Tayebwa issued the directive during the plenary sitting after Enos Asiimwe (Kabula County) made the request to the Minister for Health to inform Parliament about World Condom day commemorated every 13th February and in Uganda, this year’s commemorations will be held in Lyantonde district. Asiimwe’s request caused laughter amongst MPs with many wondering why they have never heard of such a day.
Minister Aceng confirmed that indeed the National Condoms Day exists and the events are held to purposely sensitize the public on the importance of condoms, and highlight its effectiveness in offering protection against HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
“The National Condom day is commemorated annually and it is true that people know about condoms, but many don’t use them for protection, so the day is held as an advocacy to remind people to use condoms for protection. The member is requesting that we bring a paper here, Speaker I will leave that to your discretion,” said Aceng.
