The Uganda Network on Law, Ethics and HIV/AIDS (UGANET), was established in 1995, as a Non-Governmental Organization comprising of organizational and individual multi-disciplinary membership. This was, after the recognition that the law has a role to play in influencing the success of HIV/AIDS interventions intended to prevent the further spread or to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS.

The mission of the Network is "to contribute to the development and strengthening of an appropriate legal and ethical response to HIV/AIDS; which will facilitate collective action towards the control and eventual eradication of HIV/AIDS."

The Network co-operates and collaborates with organisations of persons living with HIV/AIDS, NGOs, CBOs and other national, regional and international organizations.

In the last 10 years, the Network has been implementing programmes, projects and activities, in pursuance of its Mission and Strategic Objectives, relating to Law, Human Rights, Ethics and HIV/AIDS and has gained a wealth of experience in the process. These include:

• A three year Countrywide Sensitization Programme undertaken between 1995 and 1998, with a main focus on the legal, human rights, and ethical issues arising from HIV/AIDS epidemic and their impact on HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation efforts; and how these could be addressed and integrated in the national response. This sensitization campaign was also aimed at soliciting views about the adequacy and appropriateness of the laws, policies, customary practices and their enforcement in the light of HIV/AIDS, which required being reformed/changed or promoting. The Programme was supported by UNDP.



• A Review of the Adequacy of the Existing Legal and Policy Framework in Uganda With Regard to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic under in 1995 - 1996. The Recommendations were submitted to the Uganda Law Reform Commission.



• A Programme for Capacity Building for District Networks on Law, Ethics & HIV/AIDS, which was supported by the STI Project GOU/World Bank (1998 and 1999);



• Facilitating the formation of 21 District Networks on Law, Ethics and HIV/AIDS (DISNETS) which are affiliated to and share UGANETs mission. The District Networks are however free to design and carry out their own activities, in addition to collaborating with the national body.



• Media Advocacy which is undertaken through TV and Radio programmes in English and Local languages on issues of Human Rights, the Law and HIV/AIDS between October 2000 - February 2001, Feb - May 2003, May - Dec 2004 and April 2005 to - date. These Programmes are intended to raise further awareness and action regarding the legal, human rights and ethical issues in relation to HIV/AIDS.



• Participation in the activities of the African Network on Law, Ethics & HIV/AIDS and other international and regional events.



• Providing Legal Aid Services to Persons who are living with and those who are affected by HIV/AIDS who are facing discrimination and other violation of their rights due to the HIV/AIDS Status.

UGANET is currently implementing The Advocacy and Capacity Building Project for Strengthening of an Appropriate Legal and Human Rights Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in Uganda. The overall goal of this Project is to create a response that provides for an appropriate systematic and timely action on policy, legal and human rights implications of HIV/AIDS in Uganda.

HIGHLIGHTS OF PREVIOUS TRAININGS CONDUCTED:

UGANET has conducted the following training Programmes for key stakeholders in the Strengthening of the human rights, legal and policy framework required to effectively respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.