Thousands of Ugandan men are rushing for free circumcision as part of a move to reduce HIV and AIDS infections, government officials have revealed.



"They are going in big numbers to the centres where free circumcision is being carried out" said Gladys Akuro, an official in the Ministry of Health.


"Many could not afford to pay medical fees for the exercise and are taking the free one seriously."



She said that the Ugandan government in collaboration with some non-government organisations was offering free circumcision targeted at those who could not afford the medical fees.

She said about 1000 men were being circumcised every day since the programme started a few months ago.



Meanwhile, health experts in Uganda say there is need for all stakeholders to work towards scaling up the number of circumcised men to curb HIV infections.



Officials in the Ministry of Health say safe circumcision sites must be increased from the current 25 percent to at least 40 percent for the programme to have an impact in efforts to fight the spread of the virus.



"Scientific studies both in Uganda and beyond have proved that safe male circumcision reduces the chances of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections by 60 percent," said John Lukang, one of the experts.

"That is the reason why we encourage it here." 



Alex Opio from the Ministry of Health said circumcision that primarily targeted males between 14- 55 years will supplement the existing prevention strategies to reduce the Aids prevalence rate estimated at 6.4 percent.



The senior medical officer at the Health Ministry Albert Okui said although there was notable progress, there were still challenges linked to cultural and religious barriers.