Kampala — THE youth attending the Afro-Arab conference at the Speke Resort Munyonyo will undergo voluntary HIV counselling and testing. The state minister for youth, James Kinobe, said this was part of the activities to be carried out at the festival.

Over 1,500 youth from Afro-Arab countries will share experiences and best practices in HIV/AIDS, education, information, communication and development, Kinobe told Parliament last week.

The executive director of the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr. Kihumulo Apuuli, is expected to address the youth on the progress made in the fight against the scourge, while Pastor Martin Sempa will speak about the youth and moral values.

Other activities include cultural nights, sports, prayers, exhibitions and visiting tourist sites in Kampala, Mukono, Jinja, Kayunga and Entebbe, the minister said.

The Government invited 62 countries to participate in the two-week conference under the theme 'Youth in partnership for peace and development.'

Ten other countries were invited as observers. President Yoweri Museveni is expected to open the conference on Wednesday and it will be closed by Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Muhammad Gadaffi on March 17.