Our partners provide two key contributions. First, they bring in technical expertise that is not readily available within the military, allowing us t… - Evarlyne Buregyeya Asiimwe

HIV has profoundly impacted many aspects of our military culture. In the past, soldiers often had a different mindset, including behaviors like sharing women, as reflected in the Kiswahili saying, "we eat from the same saucepan." There was little jealousy among soldiers, and solidarity was the norm. However, the HIV epidemic has forced a cultural shift. With a better understanding of how the virus spreads, soldiers have realized that maintaining these behaviors could be deadly—not just for them, but for their families and communities. Continuing to live by the old practices of sharing everything could have fatal consequences. HIV has pushed soldiers to rethink their approach to relationships and health, emphasizing personal responsibility and caution.

Some of the challenges we face involve "pulling ropes," especially when it comes to context. In today’s world, global factors affect nearly everything. Implementing programs in a unique environment can be difficult because it’s challenging for partners or donors to fully understand and perceive the situation as you do. For example, with HIV mobile testing, some may find it difficult to accept the idea of bringing services directly to people, which can seem unusual. Global programs often come with challenges in creating interventions that truly address the specific needs and realities on the ground.

We are making progress and staying on track.