A tale of one city.

Abstract

A report from Kampala, Uganda, compares the situation in 1991 to the state of chaos 10 years earlier when the regime of Idi Amin had been overthrown by Milton Obote's soldiers with the help of Tanzanian troops. Soldiers went on looting sprees, and 1 victim of their marauding became a 12-year old boy who got shot for refusing to part with his bike. In contrast, in 1991 things were much more peaceful; however, the AIDS epidemic was the new threat. The government radio transmits hourly warnings on HIV. Since President Museveni came to power, economy and security have improved radically. Shops and markets are open until late at night; public transport is reliable, and small scale industry flourished. There would be optimism about the future, if AIDS was not here. There is no doubt that the economy will soon be affected. According to the Kampala blood bank, 40% of the healthy population is already seropositive. In the hospitals the majority of admissions suffer from AIDS with diarrhea and an itching dermatitis; there is more cancer of the cervix and lymphoma; appendicitis is on the increase; and tuberculous lymph nodes are now quite common. Many of these patients have clinical AIDS. The government is frank about the situation and is active in preventive measures and education. Private charities and foreign aid organizations contribute. But the epidemic is so overwhelming, that some Western organizations might soon lose interest owning to meager returns on their efforts. A 6-year-old boy has grossly swollen lymph nodes around his neck, both parotids are painfully swollen, pus pours from the ears. A nonspecific cough and mild diarrhea are also present with an itching and sore herpes zoster on his left chest. the mother is frightened of losing him, and demurs at the hint of AIDS, since for her, AIDS means sexual promiscuity.