I congratulate the Rwandan Government upon its decision to carry out male circumcision in an attempt to control the spread of HIV/Aids in the country, according to the article that appeared in The New Times on September 20 this year.

It is a good step towards the control of the killer disease.

I hope the practice is going to reduce the level of the spread of the disease not only in Rwanda but also in other African countries, if adopted.

The US’ Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), of which Rwanda is a beneficiary, is a good step towards supporting male circumcision in Africa who may not be willing to be circumcised because of poverty.

However, given the fact that circumcised men have 60 per cent chances of not contracting HIV/Aids, the practice should not be simply be taken for granted since the remaining percentage can enable one to acquire the disease.

This means that people should continue using condoms where necessary, remain faithful to partners if married, but the most effective one is to abstain from sex until marriage.

The Rwandan males should therefore accept circumcision despite their cultural norms and beliefs.

Kenya and Uganda have already adopted the practice according to the National Institute of Health published on February 23, 2007 in the medical journal.

Upon that, let us all stand up and fight this HIV/Aids scourge. Remember, united we stand, divided we fall.
   
Khisa W. Isaac
Mass communication student
Makerere University Kampala

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