Uganda Network of Young People Living with HIV&AIDS (UNYPA) started in 2003 to provide leadership and coordinate the greater and meaningful involvement and participation of YPLHIV in Uganda in the national, regional and global HIV and AIDS response.
The Uganda Network of Young People Living with HIV/AIDS (UNYPA) is a direct member of the National Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAFOPHANU) with a membership of 50,000 young people living with HIV/AIDS in the country so far. UNYPA advocates improving the quality of life of young people living with HIV in Uganda and as a network. UNYPA is driven by the needs of young people living with HIV and implements an evidence informed national programme and advocacy for YPLHIV to lead healthy and productive lives.
The elements of UNYPA’s national programme and advocacy include promoting universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support; fighting stigma and discrimination against young people living with HIV; and, promoting the greater involvement of young people living with HIV in the national HIV response. UNYPA has a total of 12 full time staff and over 50 Young Positive Living Ambassadors as volunteers in charge of districts. UNYPA is mandated to have three forums of Young Positives one of 10 – 18,19- 24 and 25-30 due to their different challenges in life though emphasis is being given to the 10- 24.
It was likely that Uganda’s hailed good systems; practices and successes in combating HIV/AIDS epidemic were likely to be compromised by the escalating numbers of young positives with out support to positive living. This could also lead to irresponsible sexual behavior and contributes to a significant proportion HIV infection as well as other sexually transmitted infections.