World News

Compiled by Martin Flynn

Queen breaks HIV taboo in Uganda

The Queen shakes hands with an HIV positive patient, Uganda

The Queen helped break the taboo around touching HIV positive people when she shook the hand of an HIV positive patient for the first time during the Commonwealth leaders conference in Uganda in November.

Her Majesty met 40-year-old Steven Wakadoo along with his HIV positive wife Grace and children whilst touring the
UK based charity Mildmay’s HIV clinic
in Kampala.

The visit evoked memories of the Princess of Wales who famously touched, hugged and supported HIV patients in the 1980s and 1990s. The Queen was criticised at the Diana Inquest last month for telling the Princess to find a more appropriate disease to support.
“The scourge of HIV infection and Aids has touched the lives of so many of Uganda’s people,” the Queen said in a speech to the country’s parliament.

“It is difficult, when the sorrow associated with this disease is so profound, to avoid a sense of despair. And yet there are growing numbers of people and organisations whose work gives cause for real hope.”

back to top of page