Voices from ... Toronto
By Freddie Allen
Even with his eyes closed in complete darkness, it's nearly impossible for AIDS activist Henry Luyombya to get any sleep at night. Days filled with speaking engagements, planning sessions, and televised interviews leave the 26-year-old Ugandan's mind and body restless. "I try not thinking about it, but it's hard knowing that I will probably die from AIDS," said Luyombya, who was diagnosed with HIV four years ago. Before the diagnosis that changed his life forever, Luyombya's family had great expectations for his future. Smart and charismatic, Luyombya chose to become an AIDS activist rather than the lawyer or politician his family was expecting. In some Ugandan circles, AIDS "activist" carried as much stigma as the epidemic itself. "Stigma still exists and the only way to fight it is to address it. If I don't talk about it, who will?" One of Luyombya’s first goals was to gather information.. In 2004, with a sense of urgent responsibility, he flew to Bangkok, Thailand to the XV International AIDS Conference to learn more about the disease and the role he would play in fighting the disease. In Bangkok there were over 400 youth delegates registered, a sharp increase from the 50-plus that attended the 2002 conference in Durban, South Africa. Luyombya looked at the dismal international infection rates among youth and knew that more had to be done. So the rookie activist used the Bangkok conference to campaign for greater youth participation at the IAC and access to education about HIV/AIDS. Luyombya even moved to Toronto in November 2005, joining the Leadership Programming Committee to assist in planning for the AIDS 2006 Conference. "For the first time young people directly affected the content of the sessions. Every program had an elevated youth presence and that was very exciting." Luyombya said. Although 1,000 youth delegates attended AIDS 2006 in Toronto, Luyombya lamented the missed opportunity for young people from the U.S. and Canada to come out in force. He said he believes the onus rests on the shoulders of the world leaders. "AIDS should be a priority on President Bush's agenda. The U.S. and Canada can do more." Luyombya said. Youth members of the Leadership Programming Committee have already received a commitment from the Mexican government and planners of AIDS 2008 to ensure that double the number of young people attend that conference. When Luyombya struggles with the inevitability of AIDS, he finds comfort in the words he receives during his travels. "The number one question people always ask me is 'where do you get your courage to continue [fighting the epidemic]?' I tell them the thousands of people that e-mail me, that embrace me and that accept me give me that strength." Luyombya said. Luyombya said that more people must understand what HIV is and understand that there is life after HIV. "[People infected with HIV] should join support groups, attend meetings and network with others to work out solutions to the problem." Luyombya hopes that the world leaders that made commitments at AIDS 2006 stay the course. "Its time to deliver. We don't want to be in Toronto in another 25 years."