Uganda requires more than Shs1 trillion annually to sustain treatment for the 1.5 million people living with HIV, the Director General of the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr Nelson Musoba, has revealed.
Speaking at the Uganda AIDS Marathon 2026 stakeholders’ engagemen in Kampala ,Dr Musoba noted that the funding gap remains a major concern, particularly as the country works towards reducing reliance on international support.
He however warned that Uganda risks facing a heavier HIV burden if new infections are not significantly reduced citing he increasing rate of infections among young people could undermine the country’s Vision 2040 targets.
“We must intensify prevention efforts; otherwise, the number of people requiring treatment will continue to rise,” he said.
“Over 90 percent of new infections are among adolescents. This will make it difficult for young people to contribute meaningfully to Vision 2040 if they are not healthy,” he added.
As of 2023–2024, Uganda’s national HIV prevalence among adults (aged 15–49) is approximately 5.1% to 5.4% About 1.4 to 1.5 million people are living with HIV, with roughly 38,000–52,000 new infections annually. Prevalence is higher in women (6.5%) compared to men (3.6%), and it remains a major challenge among young people
Dr Musoba also urged the public to embrace new HIV prevention technologies, including the injectable drug Lenacapavir.
“This new injectable prevention, Lenacapavir, is not a vaccine but an antiretroviral drug that is highly effective when properly used,” he said.
The engagement aimed at discussing the national perspective and strategic direction of the Uganda AIDS Marathon, strengthening private sector involvement, mobilizing resources, and advocating for policy and leadership shifts towards ending AIDS by 2030.
The Uganda AIDS Marathon, scheduled for November 29, 2026, will target young people across ten high-risk districts, from Fort Portal to Arua, as part of efforts to raise awareness and reduce new infections.
Stakeholders at the meeting emphasised the need for Uganda to progressively finance its HIV response, calling for collective responsibility from government, communities, and individuals.
