The Uganda Empowers Home Visiting Program consists of a group of counselors that visit people with HIV and/or AIDS in the Lwengo-Kyawagonya. Uganda Empowers visits people at home so that we can offer resources and advice to those that are in need. The Home Visiting Program is also a way for people to share their story.

Client Name: Kasamba
Gender: Male
Age: 54
Additional Information: Kasamba was visited by Counselor Matsiko John Bosco. When Matsiko John Bosco arrived to Kyetume, where Kasamba lived, he noticed he was very ill. He had a tumultuous relationship with his wife because she blamed him for bringing the infection into their home.

Kasamba shares his story:

My wife stigmatizes me and always assaults me because I brought AIDS into this home. She doesn’t want me to keep and spend time with our children because she thinks that I may infect them by sharing things like cups, plates and et cetera. My wife rejected to go for an HIV screening because she doesn’t want to be scared when told that she is positive. She says she will kill me if found positive. I’m also worried about my elder son who has always demanded for a share of my properties.

Matsiko John Bosco’s advice:

I assured Kasamba that I would talk to the wife. I had a talk to the wife for a while and I widely informed her about the ways of HIV transmission, discordant results among couples, and the importance of early treatment when diagnosed early with HIV. I went ahead and elaborated how stigmatization affects persons living with HIV/AIDS. She listened as I informed her of all of these things. She said she will go and test for HIV and that she will support her husband. We made an appointment and met at Kyazanga Health Centre IV. HCT was done and she also tested HIV positive. Pre- and Post-Counseling was provided to her. She will start a treatment soon.

Update from Matsiko John Bosco:

I revisited this family. Kasamba was so happy that his wife and family were supportive of him. I asked Kasamba if he had written a will. He said that he had not done so, so I guided him how best he can make it. I told him it can help him protect his properties from being taken by the son that he was not at peace with. We agreed that he needed to write the will sooner rather than later. Unfortunately Kasamba died on 2nd April 2012 leaving 6 young children and 2 adult children. May his soul rest in peace.