KAMPALA, UGANDA — The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has issued a rebuttal to a report published by The Nile Post under the headline “Justice Ministry to Spend Shs115m Teaching Condom Use, HIV Awareness,” labeling the information as inaccurate and misleading.
In an official statement released Wednesday 9, April 2025, the Ministry provided clarification regarding the allocation of its 2025/26 financial year budget for cross-cutting issues.
The Ministry stated that it is established government policy for all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to allocate 0.01% of their non-wage budgets—excluding pension and gratuity—towards addressing pertinent national cross-cutting issues encompassing health (including HIV and TB), gender equality, and related social concerns.
The Ministry affirmed that the allocated sum is UGX 115 million shillings, contrary to the UGX 140 million shillings reported, and that these funds are intended to support a diverse array of health-related activities, specifically including:
- Organizing the Annual Medical and Health Camp for staff wellness checkups.
- Facilitating attendance at national HIV and TB awareness initiatives.
- Procuring and distributing condoms at headquarters and regional offices as part of a broader HIV prevention effort.
- Monitoring the implementation of HIV and TB-related activities within the Ministry.
The Ministry underscored that the allocated funds are not exclusively earmarked for condom distribution or training, as the Nile Post News report suggested, but rather support a holistic health and wellness agenda that aligns with national priorities.
The Ministry urged media organizations to exercise due diligence in verifying information prior to publication to prevent the dissemination of misleading content to the public.
The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and the responsible management of public funds.
