Kampala — American grammy award-winning singer Alicia Keys, who is in Uganda on a four-day working visit to shore up the HIV/Aids crusade and to give a ray of hope to people devastated by the scourge, has asked the whole world to contribute to the fight against the pandemic.

Keys visited Masaka Medical Centre and Kairos Medical Centre in Kampala on Monday and Tuesday respectively, to follow up projects that she has been funding through Keep a Child Alive, a charitable organisation committed to supporting HIV patients in Africa.

The two centres treat people with HIV/Aids.

Dedication

"We all know the terrible impact of Aids on Africa. It's a big honour and pleasure for me to be here because it shows that I am dedicated to the cause (fight against Aids) and hope you are dedicated as well," she said.

The ever-smiling Keys said she first saw the overwhelming effects of the disease while in South Africa with musicians, Usher Raymond, Bono, Angelique Kidjo among others five years ago.

"I was able to see it with my eyes in South Africa and I thought that I needed to come to the ground too," Keys said.

She said the physical sight on the children has moved her more. "My coming here has helped. I have been able to speak and meet the people who are experiencing the problem. Now I understand very well what is happening and I can work with the image in mind," Keys added.

She promised to pass on the message to fellow celebrities and whoever listens to her worldwide to raise funds for children with HIV/Aids in Africa.

Masaka Medical Centre provides HIV/Aids care and treatment for over 80 people, 70 of whom are children. Keys buys and ships the drugs to Uganda herself.

The president of Aids Healthcare Foundation, Mr Michael Weinstein, together with the Masaka district chairman, Mr Vincent Sempijja, thanked Keys for her generous heart.

Appreciation

Sempijja gave her two cows.The media was however, barred from accompanying her to Namuwongo as she visited patients.

Keys is leaving Uganda today for South Africa before going to Rwanda.