Uganda records drop in new HIV infections
The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) has reported a continued decline in new HIV infections, though the country still falls short of national targets aimed at ending the epidemic.
Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday, Dr Vincent Bagambe, UAC’s director of planning and strategic information, attributed the progress to data from health facilities and national surveys, including the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey.
Bagambe noted that although Uganda had aimed to reduce new HIV infections to 10,000 annually, the country still records approximately 38,000 new cases each year, a figure he admitted cannot be significantly reduced within a single year.
Similarly, while Uganda hoped to lower AIDS-related deaths to under 10,000 annually, over 20,000 people continue to die from the disease each year.
“Yes, we are happy we have made reductions, but we still have a lot to do to achieve our targets and work towards our goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat,” said Bagambe.
The national goals align with global targets championed by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO) under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which call for a 90% reduction in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths by 2030 compared to 2010 levels.
Bagambe emphasized the need for a collective response, stating that success would depend on the involvement of government bodies, civil society, the media, parents, and especially the youth.
“As the Uganda AIDS Commission and government, we cannot do this alone. We need everyone to play their part,” he urged.
Despite setbacks following an executive order by former US President Donald Trump that froze most USAID funding, Uganda remains committed to sustaining its HIV response. The government currently allocates Shs 320 billion annually to support HIV services, covering both operational costs and essential medical supplies.
To further bolster the national response, Bagambe revealed that all government institutions have been directed to allocate 0.1% of their annual budgets to HIV/AIDS interventions.
These funds are retained and managed by the respective agencies to support localized prevention and treatment efforts. He also acknowledged the adverse effects of the U.S. funding freeze, which led to the loss of 20,000 to 25,000 jobs at clinics run by implementing partners.
However, he noted that a subsequent waiver has allowed some staff to return and services to resume. Dr Ruth Ssenyonyi, chairperson of the Uganda AIDS Commission, reflected on Uganda’s long journey in the fight against HIV since the 1980s, when the national prevalence rate stood at a staggering 18%.
Today, that figure has dropped to 5.1%, and 98% of Uganda’s population is HIV-negative, with an estimated 1.5 million people living with the virus. Uganda will mark International Candlelight Memorial Day on May 16, joining the global community in remembering those lost to AIDS-related illnesses and raising continued awareness about the disease’s impact.
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