State House has warned of Uganda’s HIV epidemic, revealing that five Ugandans contract the virus every hour. This equals 100 new infections daily and an annual treatment cost of Shs1.4 trillion.
The warning came during a health week organized under the HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) mainstreaming programme. The event also addressed cancer and other diseases, drawing officials, health experts, civil society, and faith leaders. Their discussions focused on prevention, testing, and treatment as Uganda strives to end HIV and AIDS by 2030.
Opening the event, Mr. Benon Twinobusingye, Assistant Commissioner for Human Resources at State House, represented Comptroller Ms. Jane Barekye. He stressed that national productivity depends on good health. He recalled the loss of a staff member to Hepatitis B last year, emphasizing that preventive programmes remain vital. “Despite treatment progress, Uganda risks missing the 2030 target. TB, cancer, and HIV still weigh heavily on the health budget,” he said.
Mr. Tom Etii of the Uganda AIDS Commission reported that 1.5 million Ugandans live with HIV, and 1.3 million receive treatment. However, Uganda still recorded 37,000 new infections and 20,000 AIDS-related deaths last year. He cited multiple sexual partners, transactional sex, low condom use, and men’s reluctance to test. “We must engage men to protect young women and girls. Teenage pregnancies mirror the same HIV transmission routes,” he warned.
The health week also featured a moving testimony from Rev. Canon Gideon Byamugisha, Africa’s first priest to publicly declare his HIV-positive status. Married for three decades to Pamela, who is also HIV-positive, he recalled stigma that forced hotels to expel him. “Science is enough to end AIDS. We already have medicines, leadership, and resources. What blocks us is stigma and complacency,” he urged.
Furthermore, Dr. Elijah Ssemaganda of the State House Health Monitoring Unit encouraged routine health checks and blood donation. “Blood is a lifesaving commodity only our bodies can make,” he stated.
In addition, Dr. Flavia Matovu Kiweewa of Makerere University–Johns Hopkins Research Collaboration outlined prevention methods. She pointed to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which remains widely available but underused due to stigma. She also mentioned long-acting options such as the dapivirine vaginal ring and urged prioritization of pregnant women to stop mother-to-child transmission.
The event drew support from the Ministry of Health, Uganda Cancer Institute, Uganda Blood Transfusion Service, and the Uganda AIDS Commission. State House allocated 0.1% of its resources to HIV and TB programmes, with calls for other ministries and agencies to follow.
Speakers echoed one clear message: Uganda cannot reach its 2030 health goals without collective responsibility. Citizens were urged to test regularly, seek treatment, donate blood, and adopt healthier lifestyles. Communities must also end stigma and support people living with HIV and other chronic illnesses.
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