Introduction

Sex between men is thought to account for between five and 10 percent of HIV infection

globally. Many regions now identify men who have sex with men (MSM) as a population

at high risk of HIV transmission. Though data is limited, a growing body of research

suggests that men who have sex with men in most parts of the world are at a dangerously

elevated risk of contracting HIV. 

 

 

Surveys in  many cities of  Africa  suggest prevalence  rates up to  10  times  higher  among

MSM than in the general populations. The epidemic among MSM remains largely hidden

due  to  the  under-reporting  of  sexual  transmission  of  HIV  among  MSM  in  official

statistics. This paucity of research on HIV and same-sex practices in Africa is the result of a

multiplicity of factors that include but not limited to:

 

 

   Hesitancy  of  those  who  engage  in  same-sex  practices  to  expose  themselves  to

potentially judgmental researchers.

   Resistance by African review panels to approve research on homosexuality.

   A  general  unwillingness  among  otherwise  rigorous  scientists  to  address  same-sex

transmission due to their discomfort with homosexuality.

   Homophobic stigma faced by HIV researchers themselves when addressing issues of

homosexuality.

   Denial of the frequency of same-sex behavior in Africa.

   Misconception  that  same-sex  practicing  women  face  no  significant  HIV  related

health threats.

   etc

 Thus, policy and programme challenges exist which hinder the development and

implementation of effective national HIV responses based on appropriate, comprehensive

interventions, and leaves MSM even more vulnerable to HIV infection. Strengthening the

knowledge base and implementing capacity for the prevention and treatment of HIV

among MSM and transgender populations should be considered a priority for all

countries and regions as part of a comprehensive effort to ensure universal access to HIV

prevention, care and treatment. 

 

 

Men who have sex with men (MSM) still face severe problems of stigma and

discrimination throughout the world. Experiencing discrimination not only affects

physical and mental well-being, but also impedes access to HIV prevention, testing and

treatment. Openness and improved national HIV surveillance is crucial and only

attainable through societal and personal acceptance and disclosure of sexual behavior.

Restrictive legislative environments in some countries hinder effective HIV service

provision to MSM. In fact, sexual acts in private between consensual adults of the same

sex are still criminalized in most of Africa. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effectively addressing MSM in HIV prevention and treatment is essential for an effective

overall HIV response.

 

 

The perspective 

Uganda was one of the first African countries to respond aggressively to the HIV/AIDS

epidemic, moving rapidly to introduce measures to prevent HIV transmission. Thus, in

Uganda HIV prevalence rates that once hovered around 30%, have declined to under 10 %

over the last two decades (Okero et al, 2004). Nevertheless, there is presently some concern

that HIV prevalence rates may once again be on the rise or at best reached a plateau where

the numbers of new HIV infections match AIDS-related deaths. Reasons advanced for this

state of affairs include the government’s shift towards abstinence-based prevention

programmes, general complacency (‘AIDS-fatigue’) and the changes in the perception of

AIDS as a treatable and manageable disease with the availability of ART. 

Though the constitution of Uganda calls for the establishment of rights and freedoms, the

LGBTI community in particular has not been able to enjoy their freedoms as a minority

group. 

   Section 140 of the constitution of the republic of Uganda criminalizes “carnal

knowledge against the order of nature” with maximum penalty of life

imprisonment. Also, Section 141 prohibits “attempts at Carnal knowledge” with

maximum penalty of 7 years’ imprisonment. Section 143, punishes acts of

procurement of or attempts to procure acts of gross indecency” between men in

public or private with up to 5 years imprisonment

 

 

While attempts have been made to mainstream MSM issues by activists regularly coming

out to let the world know that they exist and are normal; it remains a matter of conjecture

whether  this  greater  participation  of  LGBTI  activists  leads  to  outcomes  where  LGBTI

health concerns and needs more so in the HIV arena are better addressed. 

In the context of this initiative, the implication is that mainstreaming MSM HIV issues in

community  participatory  processes  cannot,  a  prior,  be  expected  to  lead  to  positive

outcomes  for  the  LGBTI  community  at  all  levels,  and  whether  or  not  this  is  so,  is  an

entirely empirical question. 

Focusing in on those key  functions human rights and LGBTI activists have assigned on

themselves,  and  bearing  in  mind  the  fact  that  individuals  in  the  LGBTI  community

undergo challenging issues of stigma and discrimination everyday, this project therefore

aims  at  closely  dealing  with  MSM  HIV/AIDS  issues  since  most people do not seem  to

understand them.

This  initiative  is  motivated  by  the  fact  that  greater  participation  of  human  rights  and

LGBTI  activists  in  speaking  out  for  the  community  has  not  created  a  process  that  sees

MSM health concerns  and needs  increasingly  prioritized, promoted  and addressed  at all

levels.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Icebreakers Uganda MSM Initiative (IMSMI)

Icebreakers Uganda MSM Initiative (IMSMI) is basically a project aiming to specifically

look at MSM health issues and specifically in relation to HIV/AIDS and STIs. It aims at

providing support and care for MSM infected or affected by HIV/AIDS

 

 

Main Activities

To achieve this, we have three main categories of activities to lead us to our expected out

comes. These include but not limited to:

Social Wellbeing

   Safe Spaces for mobilization, organizing and networking through activities,

movie, discussions, debates, etc. this kind of space is available at our resource

centre which is very secure.

   Open forum discussions guided covering issues i.e. healthy relationships.

   Psychosocial support through peer education services and counseling referrals by

qualified LGBTI friendly medical practitioners and counselors.

   Production and distribution of information education and communication (IEC)

materials

 

 

Health

   Voluntary counseling and testing services at our resource centre by qualified

LGBTI friendly medical practitioners and counselors.

   Referrals to MSM friendly service providers to access CT services and STI

treatment

   Post Test Clubs to provide psychosocial support and share experiences

   Safer Sex awareness workshops

   Online peer education and information sharing through our website

   Community outreach to the different MSM groups i.e. Male sex workers, Youths,

Trans, Married, Bi-sexual men and other non identified MSM

   Research

   Condom and Lubricant Distribution

 

 

 

 

Capacity Building