Civil Society Organisations and the Fight Against HIV/ AIDS in Bugirii Naluwerere Town Council: A case Study of Uganda Reproductive Health Bureau (Urhb) ·

ABSTRACT The study investigated the impact of Civil Society Organizations in the fight against HIVIAIDS in Bugiri/Naluwerere Town Council, taking a case study of Uganda Reproductive Health Bureau (URHB). The study was guided by two hypotheses and one research question. The study examined the relationship between interventions of URHB and the fight against HIVIAIDS prevalence in Bugiri I Naluwerere Town Council; its contribution to the fight against the scourge; the Challenges the organization faces and how these challenges can be addressed. The researcher used a case study design with qualitative and quantitative approaches. The samples used in the study included; URHB Social Workers, Community Leaders and the Beneficiaries. A total of 80 respondents participated in the study. The instruments used in data collection were interview guide, observation schedule and questionnaires. Data collected was analyzed using a chi-square test for quantitative data, while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis on emerging themes. The study established that URHB had made a significant contribution to the fight against HIV I AIDS prevalence in Bugiri I Naluwerere Town Council. The research also established that the contribution of URHB and perhaps other Civil Society Organizations in the fight against HIV I AIDS prevalence in Bugiri I Naluwerere Town Council had been undermined by a number of challenges, notable among which were; lack of technical and institutional capacity, resource mobilization, diversity of objectives, duplication of services, cultural practices, religious teachings and other socio-economic factors. Also, this organization seemed not to have performed well in the area of influencing behavioral change among the people, more so on part of the sick who XIV received their care and supp01t. The study established that after getting better, some people on ART resume the practice of having unprotected sex with their partners, especially those that may not have seen them sick at one time The conclusion that emerged indicated that while URHB had made a remarkable contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS prevalence in Bugiri/Naluwerere Town Council, their effmt had mainly been in fonn of sensitization and creating awareness for prevention. The organization lacked the capacity to offer practical solutions in form of economic empowerment and life skills to the high risk groups like commercial sex workers as an alternative to prostitution. Therefore, there was need for more established organizations like TASO and AIC to extend their operations to Bugiri I Naluwerere Town Council, with emphasis on economic empowerment and behavioral change.