Kampala — The HIV prevalence rate is low among university students, a report has revealed. According to the report by the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC), out of every 100 students, only 1.15% are HIV-positive, compared to the national prevalence rate of 6.4%.

HIV prevalence stands at 28% among the fishing communities, truck drivers and sex workers, the three groups the commission ranks as the "most at risk".

This means that about 1,150 students have HIV out of the estimated 100,000 students currently in various universities in Uganda.

UAC executive director Dr. David Kihumuro Apuuli told journalists yesterday at the Media Centre in Kampala that the report would be published soon.

He said the report presents findings of a six-month research conducted by the commission early this year. The research was carried out in Makerere, Gulu, Mbarara, Islamic University in Uganda Mbale, and Kampala International universities.

The survey was prompted by fears that many students could be living with HIV because of the reckless life they allegedly lead.

"If you compare the prevalence among students to the country's average figures of 6.4%, it shows that students are better off. This is encouraging," Kihumuro said.

The findings, he noted, showed that anti-AIDS campaign messages that target the youth have achieved some efficacy and most university students were keen on protecting themselves using condoms.

Asked whether the report would not compel more married men to run after university girls whom they expect to be HIV-negative, Kihumuro said: "It will be very unfortunate. The girls should resist," he stressed.