top of page
WhatsApp Image 2025-09-29 at 12.35.38_feacba3f.jpg

Phyllis Mavushe is a dynamic broadcaster, psychologist, and a proud Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) Ambassador for the Unitaid-funded THRIVE project in Zimbabwe.

Phyllis Mavushe's story

Diagnosed with HIV at just 16, Phyllis turned her personal journey into a mission to inspire and support children and adolescents living with HIV.

Her advocacy spans initiatives like the USAID-supported CATS network and the DREAMS program, empowering young people to live positively. As the host of “Yes I Have HIV Zimbabwe” on a local TV station, she blends lived experience with clinical expertise to educate, challenge stigma, and transform lives.

Phyllis became an AHD Ambassador for the Unitaid-funded THRIVE Project in Zimbabwe because she is the epitome of both the struggle and the triumph of living with HIV. Having experienced firsthand the gaps in care and the heavy toll of stigma, Phyllis chose to stand at the forefront of the fight against Advanced HIV Disease (AHD).

 

Her voice is not just her own—it carries the hopes of children, adolescents, and communities who deserve dignity, access to treatment, and the chance to live full, thriving lives.

Phyllis often reminds us that:

 

Your diagnosis does not define your destiny—it is only the beginning of your story. Also, advocacy is not just about speaking; it’s about walking the path with those you serve. Every child and adolescent living with HIV deserves hope, support, and the chance to thrive.

With a BSc in Psychology and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Midlands State University, Phyllis continues to break barriers, change perceptions, and champion the fight against AHD with unwavering passion.

Picture1 (1).png

Dr. Watiti has lived openly with HIV since the mid-1980s, turning his personal journey of surviving TB, cancer, and cryptococcal meningitis into a message of hope.

Meet Dr. Stephen Watiti


Dr. Stephen Watiti, a seasoned Ugandan physician and long-time HIV advocate, is an AHD Ambassador for the Unitaid-funded THRIVE Project, where he champions awareness, treatment, and prevention of Advanced HIV Disease (AHD). His voice and lived experience have become powerful tools in reducing stigma, improving access to care, and mobilizing communities to demand better health systems.

Born on 11 May 1953 in Mbale District, Uganda, Dr. Watiti studied medicine at Makerere University Kampala (1979–1984). He went on to serve at Rubaga Hospital, Entebbe Road Clinic, JOY Medical Centre, and later at Mildmay Uganda (2004–2013), an HIV Centre of Excellence. Today, alongside his advocacy, he serves as Chair of the Governance Board of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and as a Commissioner with the Uganda AIDS Commission.

Dr. Watiti has lived openly with HIV since the mid-1980s, turning his personal journey of surviving TB, cancer, and cryptococcal meningitis into a message of hope. On antiretroviral therapy since 2000, he demonstrates that while HIV may be incurable, it is manageable with treatment, resilience, and psychosocial support.

Beyond his clinical and advocacy roles, Dr. Watiti is a columnist for The New Vision newspaper with his long-running column “Towards Zero,” and the author of three books on HIV. He has been recognized by parliament, civil society, and international organisations for his tireless fight against HIV, AIDS-related deaths, and stigma.

Dr. Watiti is passionate about ending advanced HIV disease, saving lives, and eliminating stigma. He is married to Naomi, and together they have grown-up children and grandchildren.

 

bottom of page