RUKUNGIRI — Uganda has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but new infections and AIDS-related deaths remain a public health concern, the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) has warned.
The Commission is calling for stronger prevention efforts and more targeted interventions, particularly in communities where HIV prevalence remains high.
The call was made during a one-day HIV prevention and media engagement held on September 23, 2026, at Riverside Hotel in Rukungiri Municipality. The meeting brought together journalists, district communication officers, health educators and HIV focal persons from the Kigezi Sub-region.
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According to UAC, the continued spread of HIV shows why prevention messages must remain part of public awareness efforts. The Commission has continued to emphasise the need for Uganda to work towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
That goal is built around three key targets: zero HIV-related deaths, zero new HIV infections and zero stigma and discrimination.
UAC warns against complacency
Uganda AIDS Commission Principal Statistician Brian Masimbi told participants that HIV prevalence below the national average in some districts should not create a sense of complacency.
He explained that HIV transmission is not evenly distributed within districts and encouraged journalists and local government officials to examine data at sub-county level.
Such information, he said, can help authorities identify communities with a higher HIV burden and direct prevention programmes to the areas where they are most needed.
UAC’s published reports show that Uganda has made considerable progress against the epidemic, including reductions in new infections and AIDS-related deaths. However, the Commission continues to describe HIV as a significant public health challenge.
Kigezi districts record different HIV rates
The engagement highlighted differences in HIV prevalence across the Kigezi Sub-region.
Rukungiri District was reported to have the highest prevalence in the region at 8.1 per cent, followed by Kanungu at 6 per cent and Kabale at 5.2 per cent.
Rukiga was reported at 4.3 per cent, while Rubanda stood at 2.6 per cent and Kisoro at 2 per cent.
Masimbi said these differences demonstrate the importance of using local data when designing HIV prevention programmes rather than relying only on regional or national averages.
Multiple partnerships and low condom use among concerns
Masimbi identified several factors that can increase vulnerability to HIV, including multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships, low condom use, HIV discordance, limited disclosure of HIV status, transactional sex and low uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision.
He also pointed to alcohol and drug abuse as factors that can increase vulnerability by affecting people’s ability to make informed decisions about sexual behaviour.
The Commission further highlighted poverty, economic inequality and gender inequality as structural factors that can increase vulnerability, particularly among young women involved in transactional or age-disparate relationships.
Masimbi called for renewed efforts to promote HIV testing, condom use, voluntary medical male circumcision, responsible sexual behaviour and access to HIV treatment and prevention services.
Uganda’s HIV burden
UAC’s published HIV factsheets show that Uganda has made substantial progress in reducing the impact of the epidemic. The Commission’s 2024 estimates put national HIV prevalence at about 5.1 per cent, while AIDS-related deaths had fallen significantly compared with a decade earlier.
The Commission’s reports also stress that continued infections mean prevention remains essential even as access to antiretroviral treatment improves.
Deputy Mayor calls for stronger protection of children
Rukungiri Municipality Deputy Mayor Hajjati Marka Sulaiti Turyamureeba, who was the chief guest at the engagement, called for stronger measures to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
She also urged the media to provide accurate and educational HIV information that can contribute to positive behavioural change.
Turyamureeba said information can play an important role in shaping public attitudes, adding that the public often relies on the media for information about health and other important issues.
She therefore encouraged journalists to ensure that HIV-related reporting is factual, responsible and educational.
HIV awareness remains important
The engagement comes as Uganda continues its efforts to reach the 2030 target of ending AIDS as a public health threat.
The Uganda AIDS Commission continues to publish national HIV reports, factsheets and other materials to support evidence-based prevention and awareness efforts.
For communities across Kigezi and the rest of Uganda, health officials say sustained awareness, testing, prevention, treatment and efforts to reduce stigma will remain important in controlling the spread of HIV.
written by @enock katamba
- Enock Katamba is a Ugandan Journalist and Founder of Uncovered UG, an independent digital news platform covering Uganda and international developments. He reports on politics, national affairs, entertainment, sports, business, education and other stories of public interest.
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