Ugandan MPs have been inundated with complaints that many condoms on the market in Uganda are too small.
The Parliament of Uganda has in turn assigned the Ministry of Health to address the issue of condoms being deemed “too small” for Ugandans, as raised by some legislators during discussions on Uganda’s preparations for the upcoming International Condom Day slated Tuesday 13, February 2023.
International Condom Day, celebrated on February 13, is an annual global advocacy event aimed at raising awareness about condom use as a crucial method for preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV, and unplanned pregnancies.
During Friday’s session, some Members of Parliament noted that many condoms available in the market are not suitable for Ugandans. They also highlighted gaps in educating the public on the proper use of condoms to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
In response to these concerns, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa tasked Health Minister Ruth Aceng with addressing the issues raised by the legislators.
“On a very serious note, protection is one of the preventive measures promoted by the government and I don’t know why you are laughing, only that it is a day I have never heard of being celebrated,” Tayebwa said.
“But I think Parliament is a platform which we use to inform and educate the public about such issues, so Minister, bring a statement on this,” he said.
Dr. Aceng confirmed the existence of International Condom Day and emphasized that the associated events are organized with the specific purpose of raising awareness and sensitizing the public about the importance of using condoms.
“The member is requesting that we bring a paper here, Speaker, I will leave that to your discretion.”
Annually, over one million people worldwide contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs), coupled with approximately 80 million unintended pregnancies.