KAMPALA. Districts of Kyotera and Kalangala have recorded the highest HIV prevalence in Buganda, the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) said, as the kingdom struggles with rates above the national average.
According to the UAC 2024 report, Buganda now has an overall HIV prevalence of 6.3 percent, surpassing Uganda’s national average of 4.9 percent. The figures highlight persistent challenges in HIV prevention and care in the region.
Speaking in Bulange during a media engagement with Buganda Kingdom officials, UAC Director General Dr Nelson Musoba attributed the high prevalence to stigma, ignorance, and insufficient awareness about HIV prevention.
“Many families delay testing due to fear of judgment, and misconceptions about HIV remain widespread. These social barriers continue to put infants, especially babies born with HIV, at risk,” he said.
The report shows that the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Buganda rose from 479,670 in 2020 to 612,265 in 2024, while antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage increased from 79 percent to 86 percent.
“Despite these gains, districts like Kyotera with 13 percent and Kalangala 12 percent remain hotspots, demanding intensified public education and community engagement,” Dr Musoba added.
The figures also revealed that in 2024, 4,700 babies were born with HIV across Uganda, underscoring the need for enhanced prevention efforts.
UAC Chairperson Ruth Ssenyonyi praised Buganda Kingdom, under Kabaka (King) Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, for actively partnering with UAC to reduce infections.
“Initiatives such as the Men Are Stars (Abaami Munyenye) campaign targeting men and boys aged 15–49 in 25 high-burden districts, using sports events, radio, television, community dialogues, and school edutainment to encourage HIV testing, male circumcision, and adherence to ART have contributed a lot to the cause,” she said.
Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister (Katikkiro) Charles Peter Mayiga, stressed that HIV/AIDS remains a community challenge affecting nearly every household.
“I have not met anyone who has never lost a relative or friend to AIDS and I therefore emphasise collective responsibility in fighting the epidemic,” he said.
He added that eliminating HIV as a public health threat by 2030 will require sustained government support, cultural leadership, and multi-sector collaboration to address behavioral and structural drivers of the epidemic.