Kampala — HEALTH minister Dr. Stephen Mallinga on Friday clashed with a delegation from the European Parliamentary Forum over the use of condoms and inadequate funding of health services.

The delegation argued that the Government was putting more emphasis on promoting abstinence and being faithful while neglecting condom use in the ABC strategy of fighting HIV/AIDS.

"Why is it that a lot of emphasis is put on A and B while C is the last resort?" Brenda Furniere asked.

Furniere noted that even the First Lady preaches about abstinence and being faithful while keeping quiet about the condom use.

The remarks did not amuse Mallinga who said the delegation was misinformed.

"You seem to have misunderstood the ABC strategy. We preach the entire gospel and we are introducing circumcision. We can't abandon the other two (AB) and promote C only," Mallinga said.

The minister made the remarks while meeting the delegation who were in the country to find out about sexual reproductive health issues and the drugs supply chain.

Kenya Mugisha, the director of clinical services, said condom use in the country had increased to 45% from 15%.

Mugisha added that 120 million condoms are distributed annually.

However, the delegation urged that condom use be promoted to prevent sexually transmitted infections and to control Uganda's population growth.

"Why have many children when the Government can't provide health services? How can a woman of 24 years old have eight children?" Majda Zeherovic wondered.

Mallinga and Mugisha informed the delegation that some people did not know how to use the condoms, so they break. They also said condoms were not 100% safe.

When they told the delegation that the Catholic Church prohibits the use of condoms, the group rebutted, saying they come from Catholic countries which promote the use of condoms.

Mugisha informed the delegation that the HIV/AIDS infection prevalence in the 1980s was at 30% but it is now at 6%. He explained that the Government increased the health budget from 7% to 10.6%. Asked why the health budget is not at 15% as contained in the Abuja Declaration, Mugisha down played percentage figures, saying they were irrelevant. He argued that what matters was how much money was spent on health.

Mugisha told the delegation that the Government's priority was energy, roads and education.

Mallinga said despite inadequate funds for the ministry, the Government had extended health services to the people, adding that 75% of the population can access health centres within a radius of five kilometres.