UNYPA launches beauty pageant to challenge HIV stigma among young people

ParrotsugNov 6, 2026Read original

The Uganda Network of Young People Living with HIV/AIDS (UNYPA) has launched the 12th edition of the Y+ Beauty Pageant campaign, with a renewed call to address HIV-related stigma, discrimination and gaps in access to youth-friendly health services.

The campaign, launched at Hotel Africana in Kampala on Friday, November 6, 2026, comes amid concerns over new HIV infections among young people, particularly adolescent girls and young women.

According to the recently released Uganda Population-Based HIV and AIDS Survey, about 1.5 million adults aged 15 years and above are living with HIV, with a national prevalence rate of 5.9%.

The report indicates that young people aged 15-24 account for 38% of new HIV infections, with young women accounting for approximately 77% of infections in this age group.

It further shows that about 34,000 new infections were recorded in 2025, while key and priority populations account for an estimated 55-70% of new infections.

Dr Dan Byamukama, an official from the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) defended the pageant against criticism that rewarding young people living with HIV could encourage others to contract the virus.

He said the initiative recognises leadership, courage, knowledge, advocacy and service among young people already living with HIV, rather than rewarding HIV infection.

“No responsible public health programme would encourage child infection, and this pageant does not do so,” Byamukama said.

He warned that stigma discourages people from testing, starting treatment and adhering to medication, arguing that young people living with HIV deserve equal opportunities to participate in public life.

Byamukama also urged UNYPA and its partners to ensure participants understand consent, particularly regarding photography and media interviews, cautioning against pressuring everyone to publicly disclose their HIV status.

He pledged the commission’s commitment to listening to young people and involving them in designing, implementing and monitoring HIV programmes.

Mary Rio Babirye, UNYPA executive director, said the pageant was not a beauty contest but a platform to build confidence and empower young people living with HIV to fight stigma and discrimination.

She said the campaign will run from November 7 to December 8, culminating in a grand finale at Hotel Africana.

Regional activities, including dialogues, school outreaches and auditions, will be held in Jinja, Bushenyi, Kampala and Arua between November 9 and 25.

The activities will lead to the selection of 18 contestants who will attend a residential boot camp from December 3 to 7.

Olga Namukuza, the country director of SRHR Alliance Uganda, called for integrated interventions, saying young people’s needs go beyond HIV prevention and treatment to include economic empowerment, education and social support.

She said partnerships among health, legal and other service providers were necessary to deliver comprehensive support.

Meanwhile, youth representatives raised concerns about discrimination in public service recruitment, particularly in the army, arguing that existing policies do not adequately protect people living with HIV.

“If we look at the policies, they are not protecting us. We are living with HIV; it’s not a disability,” said Hadad Nuwagaba, a young person living with HIV.

Mr Y+ Nicolas Ochoko also cited stigma, limited awareness, discrimination and confidentiality concerns as barriers to accessing integrated services.

Martha Mbabazi Atai of AHF Uganda urged stakeholders to strengthen access to quality, youth-friendly HIV, sexual and reproductive health and mental health services.

The 2026 campaign, running under the theme:

, seeks to strengthen peer support, treatment literacy, leadership and access to integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services.

First held in 2014, the initiative has grown into a youth advocacy platform. By 2024, UNYPA had reported 1,292 Y+ ambassadors and engagement with 5,650 stakeholders, including health workers, teachers and young people.

The ambassadors support peers through community education, referrals, advocacy and efforts to challenge HIV-related stigma.