The use of condoms has stirred controversial opinions in Uganda. In
the 1980s and early 1990s, condoms were not generally available in Uganda,
with many people not believing they worked anyway. The government didn't
promote the use of condoms and religious leaders criticized them as immoral.
In 1986, the Ugandan Ministry of Health introduced a strategy called "Zero
Grazing"—slang for "don't have casual sexual
relationships," and did not promote the use of condoms.
In the early 1990s, a movement began by the World Bank, USAID and other
agencies to introduce condom usage into African culture. With the approach
of making them appealing to a population unaccustomed to their usage,
advertising and marketing techniques focused on supporting healthy practices.
The condoms were distributed free and in bland packaging. Peoples' interest
in their usage was equally as bland. So, to create a sexy
and fun image supporting healthy practices, condoms began to be packaged
in bright colored sleeves, with advertising campaigns using billboards
and radio. They were sold at modest prices in stores, rather than free,
creating an increase to their value as well as interest in their usage.
The "social marketing" of condoms, along with increased funding
to the Ugandan Ministry of Health, the Uganda AIDS Commission, and faith-based
organizations which had oppossed condom usage, effectively muted public
disapproval of condoms. Concurrently, the Ugandan Ministry of Health
gradually reduced into silence the Zero Grazing strategy.
By the late 1990s, condom social marketing had achieved the sale of
hundreds of millions of condoms annually in Africa. Population Services
International, involved in this distribution, does not make money on
the sale of condoms, but receives lucrative government contracts for
condom social marketing. By the end of the decade, condom usage had become
a popular part of Ugandan culture.
In 2003, Ugandan First
Lady Janet Kataha Museveni supported Republican
lobbyists in creating the $1 billion appropriation for abstinence programs
in the United States' $15 billion AIDS initiative to developing countries.
Upon her return from Washington, D.C., because of Mrs. Museveni's efforts,
Ugandan officials immediately began to denounce condom usage, in-line
with the First Lady's policy of abstinence education. In 2004, President
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni stated that AIDS was "a moral problem," caused
by "undisciplined sex," and that condoms should be reserved
for prostitutes. Also, Mrs. Museveni claimed condom promoters to be
racist, saying "They think Africans cannot control their sexual
drives. We will prove them wrong." Mrs. Museveni advised Ugandan
youth that organizations promoting condoms were only wanting their money.
Ugandan Information Minister James Butoro, also accused condom social
marketing organizations of "profiteering."
Credit must be given to the Museveni government for perceiving what
was taking place in their country and having the courage to boldly
address the issues publicly. Their real example of true leadership has
enabled Uganda to rise above the deaths of the AIDS crisis and demonstrate
the success in what works to reverse the epidemic.
^TOP SEXUAL CONCURRENCY >
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