The International Community of Women Living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA), along with other partners in the HIV response, strongly condemns workplace stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. A recent case before Uganda’s Equal Opportunities Commission has brought this issue to light, involving a construction company in Hoima that dismissed Ms. Daphine Kobusingye due to her HIV status after mandating HIV testing for all local workers.
The Case of Daphine Kobusingye: A Heart-breaking Reality
Daphine Kobusingye, a 39-year-old single mother of four, worked as a laundry attendant for the construction company. Though she had felt respected in her role, her life changed dramatically when the company enforced medical check-ups, exclusively targeting Black workers. During the examination, Daphine disclosed that she had been on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for seven years due to her HIV-positive status.
Her confidential medical information was shared with management without her consent. The following day, Daphine was terminated from her job, with her employer citing her HIV status as the reason. Despite her pleas to be reassigned, she was dismissed in a humiliating manner, leaving her devastated and without employment.
Daphine’s experience is just one example of the growing issue of workplace discrimination faced by many people living with HIV in Uganda. This rising trend threatens to undermine the progress Uganda has made in its HIV response and jeopardizes the country’s efforts to meet the 95-95-95 targets.
The global 95-95-95 targets aim to ensure that by 2030, 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed with HIV are on sustained treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression. Uganda, like many other countries, is working hard to achieve these ambitious goals. However, stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers.
Workplace stigma, like the case of Daphine, not only violates human rights but also discourages people from accessing HIV services. Stigma creates a toxic environment where people living with HIV are fearful of disclosing their status, seeking treatment, or adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART), which is crucial for viral suppression.
Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) data has shown that stigma and discrimination are the biggest reasons for non-adherence to ART. Many people living with HIV are missing appointments due to fear of being judged or outed at health facilities or in the workplace. This non-adherence is a major cause of viral load non-suppression, which puts people at risk of developing advanced HIV disease (AHD) and increases the likelihood of HIV transmission to others.
In Uganda, the data reveals that over 80,000 people living with HIV are currently not virally suppressed. These individuals, along with their families and friends, are at heightened risk of HIV transmission and developing severe health complications. If Uganda is to achieve the 95-95-95 targets and eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, addressing stigma and discrimination must be a priority.
The Ripple Effect of Stigma: A Barrier to Adherence and Viral Suppression
Stigma and discrimination not only prevent people from accessing treatment but also have far-reaching effects on adherence to ART. When people living with HIV feel ostracized, they are less likely to attend medical appointments or take their medications consistently, leading to missed doses and reduced treatment efficacy.
CLM data highlights that stigma is one of the main factors behind missed appointments, leading to unsuppressed viral loads and an increased risk of advanced HIV disease (AHD). Viral load non-suppression poses a serious challenge in preventing new infections and ensuring the health of those already living with HIV.
The reality is that the stigma experienced by people like Daphine is contributing to the ongoing cycle of non-suppression, increased HIV transmission, and the rise in AHD cases. It is critical that Uganda addresses these issues head-on if the country is to reach its HIV treatment and prevention goals.
ICWEA and its partners continue to advocate for a better working environment for people living with HIV and for stronger policies that protect their rights. We are calling on the government, employers, and civil society organizations to take decisive action to address workplace stigma and ensure that people living with HIV can work without fear of discrimination.
“This stigma continues and women living with HIV are saying not on our watch,’’ – Yvette Raphael, Human Rights Defender
As we work towards the 95-95-95 targets, it is vital to recognize that stigma is not just a social issue—it is a public health crisis. Stigma prevents people from accessing the care they need, contributes to non-suppression of viral loads, and ultimately fuels the HIV epidemic. If Uganda is to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, we must confront and eliminate stigma and discrimination in all its forms.
Conclusion
Stigma and discrimination in the workplace, as demonstrated by the case of Daphine Kobusingye, are not only human rights violations but also major barriers to achieving the 95-95-95 targets. Community-Led Monitoring data clearly shows that stigma is a leading factor in missed appointments and non-adherence to ART, increasing the risk of viral load non-suppression and HIV transmission.
To end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, it is crucial to create an environment where people living with HIV can access the treatment and support they need without fear of discrimination. ICWEA and other partners remain committed to fighting stigma and advocating for the rights of people living with HIV across Uganda and the Eastern Africa region.
