The response to HIV and AIDS in Uganda is represented by a wide range of partners.  Consequently, there has been a tremendous Multi-sectoral response with a strong emphasis on prevention, care for the infected, impact mitigation and advocacy for the de-stigmatization of the pandemic.  Ugandas youth have been determined to have the highest rates of sexual activity; thereby targeting this faction offers the best window of opportunity for the arrest of the scourge in Uganda.

There are various response levels from which HIV and AIDS initiatives in Uganda have been spearheaded by youth.  These levels include: public sector response, civil society sector response, and private sector response.  The public sector response is currently dominated by the sectors whose mandates include youth education and reproductive health.  There are five main institutions that support these activities: Ministry of Education (MoE), The Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), The National Council of Children (NCC), Ministry of Gender, The Ministry of Health (MoH).  The civil society response has concentrated on media-based activities especially through the print media.  As well, there is a potential of 640 NGOs which provide a wide range of interpersonal communication services for youth including: DISH Project, AIDS Information Centre (AIC), USAID, and Youth Alive clubs.  (Refer to Figure 2 for various details)

Fig. 2

SECTOR	RESPONSE
PUBLIC SECTOR	- (MoE): pilot IEC project in support to reproductive health in schools, including HIV and AIDS. - (MoLG): Child Rights initiative based on the Local Government statutes. - (NCC): community-based child rights initiative meant to address, among other things, HIV/AIDS - (MoH): health education and reproductive health programs for young people in and out of school.
CIVIL SOCIETY	- Straight Talk Foundationyouth IEC activities through print media - (AIC)Youth Friendly services and social marketing campaigns -The DISH project -USAID- mixture of civil and public sectors responses. The next 6-year support framework for Uganda will include HIV and AIDS for young people. -Youth Alive clubs
PRIVATE SECTOR	-employers -informal workplaces (i.e. pubs) -business councils