President Museveni has commended the country’s progress in reducing the burden of HIV/Aids, and highlighted gaps that must be closed as the country races to end HIV/Aids as a public health threat by 2030.
Mr Museveni, who was represented by Vice President Jessica Alupo, as the chief guest at the World Aids Day commemoration in Bushenyi District, decried the large number of new infections registered annually.
‘HIV prevalence has markedly reduced to 4.9 percent from 18 percent in the 1990s. There has been a reduction of new HIV infections, but this still remains high at 37,000 as of December 2024,’ he said. Mr Museveni appealed to young people, who are contributing a significant burden of the new infections to avoid risky behaviours.
‘I am informed that Bushenyi district registered 250 new HIV infections last year alone, my message to all the bazukulu on HIV has not changed,’ he said. ‘Abstain from sex and concentrate on your studies until you are ready to deal with the consequences of sex to the adults, remain faithful to your partners and avoid multiple sexual partners.’
The President advised the youth to avoid alcohol and drug abuse, since this impair one’s judgment. ‘In this era of digitalization, young people spend most of their time on social media, and yet what you see on social media is misleading. A lot of information is inaccurate and some of it totally incorrect. Always verify with reliable sources.
Why are you spending all your time on social media? You should do sports and exercises in order to be fit and lead a disciplined life,’ he said. According to the Uganda Aids Commission (UAC), the country is closing in on the target that was set by United Nations to end HIV as a public heath threat by 2030. The 95-95-95 strategy means that 95 percent of the people who have HIV have tested and know their HIV status, and 95 percent of those who are HIV- positive enrol on treatment and 95 percent of those who enrol on treatment take their treatment correctly and consistently so that they achieve viral suppression.
‘The first message is that Uganda is winning the war in the fight against HIV/Aids and the evidence is the progress made on the UNAids 95-95-95 targets,’ said Dr Nelson Musoba, the director general , UAC during the commemoration of World Aids Day at Kizinda Playground in Bushenyi. Dr Musoba said according to the data collected in 2024, people with HIV enrolled on treatment and taking their treatment correctly have surpassed the 95 percent set target. ‘For the first 95 percent of the people who should know their status, we are at 94 percent, on the second 95 percent we are at 90 percent and that is where the problem is and for the third 95 percent where those who are on treatment should take it consistently and correctly, we are at 96 percent and that is why we are winning the war against HIV and Aids,’ he said.
Dr Musoba said the first target was 90-90-90, which was achieved before embarking on the 95-95-95 targets. He, however, highlighted some of the gaps that need to be addressed for the country to stay on track, especially regarding the prevention of new infections and treating those infected. The country recorded 37,000 new HIV infections last year and the total number of persons living with HIV is estimated to be 1.5 million, signifying a huge disease burden. ‘We have had a 61 percent reduction in new infections by December 2024, but also overall our coordination, both the national and local government, HIV response have been strengthened in pillar one of engaging men in HIV prevention to reduce infections amongst adolescent girls and young women,’ he said.
‘HIV prevalence, for instance, if we compare 2020, and 2024 among us, the age group 15 to 49 has reduced from 5.8 percent to 4.9 percent. This might look like a small number, but it’s quite significant when you look at it at the population level,’ he added. Dr Musoba said they are challenged by the new infections of children, which pose a serious concern.
‘However, despite these gains, there remains concern. In 2024 alone, we had 4,700 children who are infected through mother-to-child transmission that needs extra attention,’ he said. Ms Jacqueline Makokha, the country director for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAids), stated that Uganda can achieve greater success in lowering new HIV infections and deaths by adopting these five strategies, which primarily target young people, the main drivers of large number of new infections. ‘The first strategy is that we must scale up sexuality education and empower young people with accurate information,’ she recommended.
She added that in most countries, knowledge of comprehensive HIV information stands at only about 70 percent, a figure that needs improvement. ‘Secondly, we have to expand access to HIV prevention tools for young people, including Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), condoms and we must provide testing not just in health facilities, but also in communities and in places where young people are, such as schools, higher institutions of learning and others. We are also encouraging countries to give young girls choice,’ she said. ‘In the HIV sector, we have a lot of interventions that young people can use to prevent HIV infections. Let’s give them choice.
There is lenacapavir (injectable drug for HIV infection given twice a year). This is available,’ she added. Dr Musoba said the government plans to begin administering the approximately 36,000 doses of lenacapavir expected from donors via the Global Fund next year. However, he explained that the government would prioritise high-risk groups, including young women, those engaged in transactional sex, and individuals in discordant relationships. This leaves out many Ugandans who may be in need of the drug. He said they also anticipate the private sector will start purchasing the drug, whose cost per person per year has been lowered to $40 (Shs140,000), following approval by the National Drug Authority (NDA). Nevertheless, Ms Makokha emphasized that existing interventions must not be neglected.
‘We also have condoms. We have the oral PrEP, we have the vaginal ring. Let them get choice and choose what best suits them to prevent HIV infection,’ she said. She also urged the strengthening of community-led initiatives that tackle stigma and discrimination as well as gender-based violence, while ensuring that young people experiencing gender-based violence are referred for services, including HIV prevention. ‘Fourthly, we have to invest in economic empowerment programmes for young women and girls to reduce their vulnerability and ensure that they remain in school ,’ she said.
‘Finally, we have to ensure youth participation in policy making and programme design because young people are not just beneficiaries of services, they are leaders, they have knowledge, they know what works, and we have to give them the space to do what best suits them,’ she added. On the other hand, Dr Senyonyi said they are stepping up interventions to combat stigma and the barriers responsible for the 4,700 new infections in babies through mother-to-child transmission of HIV. She also mentioned that they are involving men, who are the primary negotiators in sexual activity, so that they can take the lead in the HIV prevention efforts.