Joseph Robert Linda

What inspires you to work in the HIV field?

I am a youth advocate working with Naguru Youth Health Network, a youth-led organization that advances the realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), service delivery among young people, and monitoring and evaluation of youth-led programming. My passion for youth advocacy, activism and HIV-related programming has evolved to the point that I led the “Tonzoleya campaign”, aimed at reducing HIV stigma and discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have managed to further educate, sensitize and promote equality concerning HIV and AIDS and SRHR-related issues among young people.

As an advocate, I am driven by the notion of ensuring access to quality healthcare services for all, regardless of their vulnerability status and gender orientation. I am motivated by the progress that has been made in the HIV field and excited to be part of the next generation of HIV professionals that will continue the journey towards ending the AIDS pandemic, where no one is left behind.

What are your goals as an IAS change maker?

I am a young person living with HIV in a country that is home to 1.4 million people living with HIV. Of these, young people (15-24 years) make up about 12% (170,000), and only 54.7% are virally suppressed, compared with 74% of adults. Even though HIV prevalence among young people is low (1.8%), adolescent girls and young women are most affected, with prevalence of about 2.8%. My vision is to contribute to achieving the 95-95-95 UNAIDS targets with a particular focus on young people, ultimately contributing to achieving the presidential fast-track initiative goal of ending the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Uganda by 2030.

My goals are to:

1. Support linkage and referral to ART and TB care services for young people living with HIV.
2. Advocate for increased access to HIV prevention, treatment and care services for all, regardless of sexual orientation and age.
3. Promote evidence-based policies and practices to reduce the transmission of HIV and AIDS that are equitable to all people.
4. Support the development of innovative solutions to address the HIV and AIDS epidemic in line with the digital world, which eases the work of health workers.