Kampala — The elite in Uganda have remained stigmatised despite the government's efforts to fight HIV, the Uganda Aids Commission has said. " People in high social status have remained with the fear to come and access services," said UAC Information Resource Manager, Rosemary Kiryomunda.

She added: "Even those in such positions who access services do not inform their partners hence re- infecting themselves."

Speaking during the opening of a five-day workshop on HIV and stigma in Kampala, Ms Kiryomunda said people with such stigma are in most cases already HIV positive.

The workshop is organised to develop a national campaign strategy to help reduce the Aids stigma and discrimination in the country.

Ms Kiryomunda, however, said stigma was still at large in almost all sectors of the country including education and law enforcement.

In schools, she said the stigma comes when the teachers and other pupils discriminate HIV infected pupils.

"Stigma may range from self to enacted stigma, and most people are in fear brought about by themselves and the way the public will perceive them which is self stigma," she said.

The workshop attracted organisations like Uganda Womens Effort to Save Orphans, the Mildmay centre, International HIV Aids Alliance, Straight Talk, and the Ministry of Education and Sports among others.