Kampala — THE Coordinator of Market Vendors Aids Project(MAVAP), Ms Angelina Wapakhabulo, has said market vendors living with HIV/Aids will get free anti retroviral drugs (ARVs) with effect from Tuesday.

She said the targeted market vendors are those operating in St Balikuddembe, Nakawa and park yard.

"We are collaborating with Marie Stops Clinic to start providing ARVs and comprehensive care to vendors in the city starting July19," she said.

Wapakhabulo said this after signing a memorandum of understanding with Aids HealthCare Foundation/Global Immunity, Kampala City Council and Uganda Cares at City Hall on Friday.

The memorandum was to address issues related to HIV/Aids awareness, prevention, care and support to vendors in targeted markets.

Wapakhabulo said since they started offering Voluntary Counseling Therapy services in St. Balikuddembe in 2004, many venders had tested for their HIV status.

She said the project was initiated in markets because they employ large population in Kampala.

City Mayor John Sebana Kizito commended MAVAP for bringing a pilot HIV/Aids project in Kampala's where there are busy and large markets.

He said St. Balikuddembe market alone had over 40,000 venders, who are in most cases too busy to go for HIV/Aids services in distant centers.

"Every person is eligible to get or to have Aids so no one should be afraid of knowing his status because we now have the drugs," he said.