Uganda YAPL: New Adaptations

CYP embarked on the YAPL Programme after being faced with the mounting challenge of HIV/AIDS during the late 80’s and early 90s, especially with its ramification on the youthful and productive population of member countries in the Region. CYP under the YAPL has since then been identifying young people (aged 15-29) living with the HIV virus, build their capacity as advocates for behavior change and empowers them to spread the message through targeted communication strategies and self (positive living). This programme has been successfully replicated in the 21 Commonwealth countries and Uganda is one of the beneficiary countries.

The YAPL programme intends to increase Community and Young Positives knowledge, change attitude, build life skills and adopt positive sexual behaviors for the management and prevention of HIV Sexual Transmission; and Lobby national development partners, public and private sector to effect their commitment against HIV/AIDS by developing, financing and implementing policies and laws that increase young people’s vulnerability levels in the community.

UNYPA has a membership of over 20,000 young positives who are openly living with HIV. Most of these young positives were born with the virus and the mistreatment that they receive from schools is so high to be dealt with, for them to benefit from the universal free education. This has led to low levels of education, poverty and for most of them illiteracy has exacerbated their plight.

UNYPA has introduced two new YAPL adaptations. These are YAPL Positive Prevention Programme and Sharing Positive Life. The Positive Prevention Program provides basic counseling and education service on positive prevention and care to young positives/young people between 10-25yrs of age, so that they can deal with their positive living daily challenges and aims at contributing to the reduction of HIV transmission by building the capacity of PHA and the general community to scale up HIV/STI. The Sharing Positive Life Programme empowers UNYPA members as role models to educate their peers on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and promote the value of lifestyle and behaviour change for healthy living. These new adaptations intend to increase Community and Young Positives knowledge, change attitude, build life skills and adopt positive sexual behaviours for the management and prevention of HIV Sexual Transmission; and Lobby national development partners, public and private sector to effect their commitment against HIV/AIDS by developing, financing and implementing policies and laws that increase young people’s vulnerability levels in the community.

Through Young Ambassadors of Positive Living, UNYPA is able to assist young positives to cope with HIV disease and provide psychosocial support. Using a peer based approach, the Young Positive Living Ambassadors enhance adherence to ARV therapy and promote the uptake of counselling in a youth friendly environment.

UNYPA has played an active role in giving young positives a “voice” at the national, heading to local and community level and ensuring positive and creating an enabling environment for all young people living and affected with HIV/AIDS to participate equally in development programmes that improve their livelihood.

UNYPA on behalf of the Commonwealth Youth Programme Regional Centre for Africa is implementing a 12 month pilot Young Ambassadors for Positive Living (YAPL) programme in Uganda. CYP Africa is happy to work with partner implementing agencies like the Uganda Network of Young People Living with HIV/AIDS.