AIDS care providers in Uganda are appealing to the government to waive inspection fees on imported condoms to address the country’s ongoing shortage. The National Drug Authority (NDA) is responsible for verifying the quality of all imported condoms before they are distributed to Ugandans.
Henry Magala, the Country Programs Director for AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) – Uganda Cares, argues that these inspection fees are a significant barrier to importing donated condoms. While the government has eliminated importation fees on medical supplies, including condoms, inspection fees remain. Magala explains that any charges on medical supplies meant for free distribution negatively impact non-profit importers.
“We ask the National Drug Authority to waive these inspection fees, just as it did with importation fees. This would support the HIV/AIDS campaign,” Magala stated. He believes that waiving the fees would enable the importation of more condoms, particularly benefiting remote and high-risk communities such as landing sites. Magala disclosed that importers pay over 300,000 Ugandan Shillings (UGX) per batch, totaling approximately 5 million UGX for every two million condoms imported. Since 2009, AHF-Uganda Cares has imported over 50 million condoms.
“Condoms remain the best option for people to stay safe during intimacy, offering up to 95% protection. However, many people are still reluctant to use them, contributing to the high number of new HIV cases,” Magala added.
Boniface Epuku, the Program Lead for Condom Programming at the Ministry of Health, emphasizes that effective condom use is crucial in curbing new HIV infections. He also warned that with potential cuts in HIV treatment support, Uganda must reinforce condom use.
“The ministry is committed to ensuring that condoms are available and distributed across the country, along with increasing the number of dispensers,” Epuku said. He noted that the government procures and distributes about 200 million condoms annually, but reduced funding necessitates increased distribution and awareness efforts.
Condom shortages have been a major concern since 2024, with citizens reporting empty dispensers at health centers nationwide. In response, some individuals in hard-to-reach areas, including islands and landing sites, have resorted to reusing condoms or using polythene bags as alternatives.
Uganda marked World Condom Day in Kalungu, a district in the Greater Masaka Region with high HIV prevalence among adults aged 15–49. According to Uganda AIDS Commission statistics, Kalangala has an HIV prevalence rate of 13.1%, followed by Kyotera at 12.2%, Masaka City at 11.2%, Kalungu at 9.9%, Masaka at 9.2%, Bukomansimbi at 9.1%, Lwengo at 8.4%, Lyantonde at 8.3%, Sembabule at 6.2%, and Rakai at 5.2%.
-URN-
