Uganda has made great strides in combating the AIDS epidemic. With continuous declines in infection rates observed, many people might think that there is no need for yet another programme. Although Uganda has made significant progress, there continue to be numerous challenges; HIV and sexually transmitted infection services are not uniformly available throughout the country. In districts where services are available, they are often limited to towns, where only a few outreach and referral mechanisms may be in place. In addition, most districts have an insufficient number of trained people to handle the range of medical and social needs that are presented. AIM is designed to strengthen and expand these existing services as well as support new innovative interventions and to train existing providers to build local capacity so that there is more uniformity in the quality of services across districts.

One of the unique characteristics of the AIM Programme is the integration of other medical and social service programmes, such as tuberculosis, diagnosis and treatment, orphan care, youth interventions, and education with existing HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support programmes. Each district's HIV/AIDS Planning and Coordinating Committee (DHAC) is primarily responsible for developing, monitoring, coordinating and integrating all of these interrelated issues and services so that a comprehensive and broad-based approach is taken.

Financial and technical support of at least $38 million will be provided over the next five years for these services and will include a sub-granting mechanism through the districts to support the various non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations and faith-based organisations that deliver HIV/AIDS services in the district. The DHACs will have a significant role in identifying the organisations to receive these grants.

Following a consultative review process, stakeholders recommended specific districts for the AIM Programme. The Ministry of Health and Uganda AIDS Commission reviewed these selections and a final list of districts was approved by the Government of Uganda, USAID and CDC at the end of February 2002. Of the 16 selected districts, 10 were chosen for Phase I, while the remaining 6 are in Phase II and will be included as resources are allocated. The districts in Phase I are to the North: Lira, Pader, Apac, Rukungiri, West; Bushenyi, Ntungamo, East; Katakwi, Soroti, Kumi, Tororo. Phase II are: Central; Mubende, Kibaale, East; Pallisa, West Nile; Nebbi, Arua and Yumbe.