We are making progress and staying on track. - Evarlyne Buregyeya Asiimwe

The primary challenge remains reaching soldiers stationed in very remote areas, especially since, during wartime, they are not allowed to move freely or travel alone. It’s not feasible to send just one soldier for testing; instead, we must move them in groups. To address this, we established teams equipped with security escorts to carry testing kits and reach soldiers in their deployed locations. Whether in a room, an open space, a tent, or even under a tree, these teams would set up a secure and professional environment to conduct testing. They ensured that the space was spacious and maintained confidentiality, even in such remote settings. Initially, we conducted one-on-one counseling and testing, but over time, as stigma decreased, we shifted to group counseling and testing, making the process more efficient and inclusive.

By the way, we aim for 99:99:99—our targets are always set higher than the national ones.

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.