Fellow Countrymen and Women,
Greetings from the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC), a government body under the Office of the President, mandated to provide overall coordination of the HIV and AIDS response. Our vision is to make the population free of HIV and its effects.
As of December 2023, Uganda has about 1,497,200 people living with HIV, with 38,000 new HIV infections recorded. Sadly, about 19,000 people have died due to AIDS-related illnesses during the same period. It is important to note that girls are three times more likely to be affected by new HIV infections than boys. Treatment costs are high, and adherence to medication can be challenging.
Key Risk Factors for HIV Infections:
- High-risk sexual behaviors
- Multiple sexual partners
- Inconsistent condom use
- Transactional sex and cross-generational relationships (such as “sugar mummies” and “sugar daddies”)
- Low utilization of antenatal care (ANC) and delivery services
- Low uptake of safe male medical circumcision services
- Inadequate scale-up of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
- Gender inequalities, including gender-based violence (GBV) and poverty
Since the 1990s, His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has provided leadership in managing the HIV response, and Uganda has gained global recognition for its efforts using a multisectoral approach. In 2017, the President launched the Presidential Fast-Track Initiative to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030. This initiative has five key pillars:
- Engage men in HIV prevention and reduce new infections, particularly among adolescent girls and young women.
- Accelerate the implementation of Test and Treat strategies and reach the 95-95-95 targets, especially among men and young people.
- Consolidate progress on the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV.
- Ensure financial sustainability for the HIV response.
- Ensure institutional effectiveness for a well-coordinated multisectoral response.
HIV Awareness During the Festive Season
As we approach the festive season of Christmas and New Year 2025, several activities are taking place across the country, including children visiting relatives, social events, discos, football games, and overnight prayers. These events can sometimes expose individuals, especially adolescent girls and young women, to risky behaviors that may lead to unwanted pregnancies, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Therefore, it is crucial to manage these activities responsibly.
I believe that by safeguarding ourselves, our children, and our youth during this festive season, we can prevent the unintended consequences of pregnancy and HIV transmission.
The Journey Toward Ending AIDS by 2030
Ending AIDS by 2030 is possible if we adhere to the 3 Zeros Principles:
- Zero new infections – No one should acquire new HIV infections.
- Zero AIDS-related deaths – No one should die because of their HIV status.
- Zero stigma – People living with HIV should not face discrimination because of their status.
By using the multisectoral approach, where everyone is involved, we can effectively disseminate, educate, and create awareness about HIV across all segments of the population.
My Appeal to All:
- Young People: Remain focused and abstain from risky sexual behaviors.
- Sexually Active Individuals: Adopt safer sex practices, such as consistent condom use.
- General Population: Know your HIV status by testing, and encourage your partner to do the same.
- Parents: Take care of your children, provide essential needs, and equip them with accurate health information. Spend quality time with them.
- Men: Avoid alcohol and drug abuse, as these can compromise your decision-making.
- People Living with HIV: Stay positive and stigma-free, and adhere to your medication.
- Youth: Focus on your studies and delay starting a family until you are ready.
- Religious and Cultural Leaders: Spread HIV awareness messages to your congregations during this Christmas season.
- Political Leaders: Promote the Abstain, Be Faithful, and Condom Use (ABC) messages as you engage with the masses.
Moving Forward
We are fortunate to have leaders creating a conducive environment for the HIV response, with appropriate laws and policies in place. Proven scientific interventions are available for all populations in need, and all sectors have mainstreamed HIV services. Fairness and equality are being pursued.
Ending AIDS by 2030 does not mean people living with HIV will die; instead, it means they will lead healthy, productive lives, free from stigma. Those born with HIV will live without discrimination, and no one will die from AIDS-related illnesses.
At the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC), we will continue to carry out our mandate and coordinate efforts across the country to ensure that we end AIDS by 2030 and sustainably manage the HIV response beyond that.
Etii Tom
Coordinator, Public Sector
Uganda AIDS Commission
Email: tom.etii@uac.go.ug
