The Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) has been forced to halt several HIV response programs and scale down operations due to a significant decline in external funding, driven by shifting global financing priorities.
According to Dr. Andrew Kambugu, IDI Executive Director, the institute has had to close long-running programs that played a crucial role in reducing new infections.
Among the affected programs are Voluntary Male Circumcision, which had reached millions of men across two regions, and the DREAM program, which empowered economically vulnerable young women and girls with skills such as hairdressing, catering, and fashion design to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV.
“Our institute has been involved in this program for many years, we’ve circumcised millions… So that funding has stopped, and we really don’t have resources for that,” Dr. Kambugu stated. As a result, staff members working on these programs have been laid off or repurposed.
The 2025 Uganda AIDS Commission report indicates that 37,000 people became infected with HIV in 2024, and 1.5 million people in Uganda are living with HIV. Dr. Kambugu emphasized that government support is essential, particularly in absorbing health workers into public service, to maintain the progress made in HIV response.
As Uganda transitions to a domesticated HIV response program, Dr. Kambugu stressed the need for sustained HIV care systems. “Our concern is that HIV care is not just about dispensing ARVs. It is about the support systems that keep patients engaged in treatment, prevent dropouts, and ultimately stop new infections,” he said. He called on the government to prioritize HIV care and ensure that support systems are maintained.
Dr. Ahmed Ddungu, a Physician in the Prevention, Care, and Treatment Department at IDI, highlighted the importance of preserving the gains made over the past two decades. “We are committed to collaboration and innovation, but we must make sure that systems developed over the years, like community follow-up and adherence support, are maintained within the new framework,” he said.
Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, represented by Dr. Susan Wandera, emphasized the need for collaborative support from the government, private sector, and communities to end AIDS by 2030. She noted that securing sustainable financing is crucial to future-proofing progress and integrating HIV into the national budget framework.
To address the funding gap, Ms. Flavia Kyomukama, Executive Director of the National Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS Network Uganda, urged the government to increase domestic investment in HIV response. “We need to fill the gap so that the country doesn’t lose what it has already achieved,” she said.
The IDI is commemorating World AIDS Day, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Uganda.