Uganda - Laura Bush cries in Entebbe

The Monitor (Kampala, Uganda) ^ | July 12, 2003 | Badru D. Mulumba

[HAL9000]

The US First Lady, Laura Bush, had tears in her eyes yesterday as she listened to a performance by the Watoto children's choir - made up mainly of children orphaned by HIV/Aids.

Laura, and her husband, US President George W. Bush, were at The Aids Support Organisation clinic in Entebbe on the last stop of their four-hour visit to Uganda.

During the emotional presentation, where President Yoweri Museveni was also present, Ms Bush wiped tears from her eyes as the children sang Christian songs of hope in English.

Later, President Bush promised more support to Uganda in the fight against HIV/Aids.

"We will be providing anti-retroviral medicine and other drugs," Bush said, following up his earlier pledge of $15 billion to fight HIV/Aids in Africa and the Caribbean.

"We will help deliver the drugs including by motorcycle, just like you do here in Uganda."

Although it is not clear how much of that money will come directly to Uganda, Bush said that part of it will be used to look after Aids orphans and promised more support to the country.

"I come to assure Uganda that if you are going to struggle against poverty and disease, you have a friend in the United States," President Bush said.

The US leader also commended Ms Noerine Kaleeba, who founded Taso after the death of her husband to Aids-related illness, for her contribution to the fight against HIV/Aids.

"She is a catalyst for change, a remarkable soul," said Bush.

The US president then kissed his thumb and waved to Kaleeba, who returned the gesture. Bush commended Uganda's open approach to the fight against HIV/Aids and said that the disease does more harm in an environment of secrecy.

"You are leading the way here in Uganda," Bush added.

He also praised religious leaders and doctors for helping Uganda fight Aids.

Earlier in the day, soon after his arrival, Bush held bilateral talks with President Museveni for 30 minutes at the Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe.

The talks were attended by US Secretary of State, Gen. Colin Powell and National Security Adviser, Ms Condoleezza Rice.

Uganda's minister of defence Mr Amama Mbabazi attended the talks, as well as his colleagues Mr Edward Rugumayo (trade and industry), Mr Tom Butime (international affairs) and Kirunda Kiveijinja (presidency).

Uganda's ambassador to the United States, Ms Edith Sempala, also attended.

While speaking to journalists after the talks, President Bush thanked Uganda for using its strategic location to help mediate in regional conflicts.

President Museveni thanked Bush for the financial support his country gives to Uganda, and for opening up the American market to Ugandan goods.

President Bush did not make any comments about democracy in Uganda, and the journalists present were not permitted to ask questions.

Timely intervention

President Bush's visit to Uganda is recognition of the success that the country has made in the fight against HIV/Aids.

Uganda was the first country in the world to register a reduction in the rate of prevalence, which has fallen from a high of about 30 percent in the early 1990s to 6 percent presently.

However, despite these gains, most Ugandans cannot afford to pay for anti-retroviral drugs.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) estimates that thousands of people living with Aids have no access to treatment, despite a substantial drop in the cost of the drugs.

About 150,000 people require Aids treatment, but only 10,000 are presently on anti-retroviral treatment in Uganda.

It is hoped that the $15 billion Emergency Plan for Aids relief will substantially bridge the gap. The proposal identifies Uganda among 14 core beneficiary countries. The proposal could be implemented as early as this time next year.

Uganda has only two centres that offer anti-retroviral treatment - the Mildmay Centre in Kajjansi, along Entebbe road, and the Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe.

At Mildmay Centre, 2,015 children receive treatment for Aids-related illnesses.

But only 137 of these are on anti-retroviral therapy because the majority can not afford the drugs. A three-course anti-retroviral treatment regiment of the patented generic drugs costs Shs 60,000 a month.

But civil society groups fear that the patent regime on medicines being pushed by rich countries through the World Trade Organisation will hurt access to the generic drugs.

Generic drugs are medicines manufactured without patents and brand names. The non-generic drugs tend to be more expensive.

In addition, the patient has to take a test to count the white blood cells in the blood every four months, which costs an estimated Shs 55,000.

Bush's African tour

Uganda was President Bush's second last stop in a five-day tour of Africa that started in Senegal on Tuesday.

Bush then travelled to South Africa on the same day where he spent two days before visiting Botswana. Both Southern African countries have serious HIV/Aids crises.

President Bush, who is travelling with wife Laura, daughter Barbara and other senior officials, was in Entebbe for slightly less than the scheduled four hours.

He then flew out to Nigeria where he will spend a night. President Bush is scheduled to meet his Nigerian counterpart, Mr Olusegun Obasanjo today before flying back to Washington, according to the White House.

This is President Bush's first ever visit to Africa.

His predecessor, Bill Clinton, visited Uganda in March 1998, as part of his own African tour.

[what's up]

One of the pictures I will never forget is that of Laura and George Bush, both with tears in their eyes, at the funeral for the 9/11 victims at the Pentagon.

I believe she is an extremely soft-hearted woman, with a deeply genuine faith in the Lord.

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