Uganda AIDS Commission Reports 64% Drop in Deaths: Boost for Uganda Public Health Initiatives

Uganda is marking a significant victory in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with the Uganda AIDS Commission data revealing a dramatic 64% decline in AIDS-related deaths since 2010. The update, presented to Parliament’s Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters, highlights progress made through long-standing Uganda public health initiatives.

Major Progress in AIDS Prevention and Treatment

According to the AIDS Commission report findings, AIDS-related deaths have dropped from 56,000 in 2010 to just 20,000 in 2024. New HIV infections have also fallen sharply—from 96,000 in 2010 to 37,000 in 2024. These numbers were presented by Tom Etti, Director for Partnerships at the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC), during a committee session held on 15 October 2025.

Etti stated, “These are impressive gains that reflect Uganda’s resilience and the strong leadership behind the national response.”

The country is now approaching the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which are used to measure progress toward epidemic control:

94% of people living with HIV know their status
90% are on antiretroviral therapy (ART)
96% of those on ART are virally suppressed

With over 1.4 million Ugandans currently receiving ART, these achievements serve as a platform for meeting the Fast-Track Initiative goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Regional Disparities and Local Challenges

The Uganda AIDS Commission data also provides a detailed district-level breakdown. Wakiso District leads with 180,300 people living with HIV (PLHIV) and 3,950 new infections in 2024. Kampala follows with 73,600 PLHIV and 1,840 new infections.

Several urban districts continue to experience higher HIV prevalence:

Fort Portal City: 14% adult prevalence
Kyotera: 13%
Kalangala and Soroti City: ~12% each

Other notable figures include:

Buikwe: 30,100 PLHIV, 600 new infections
Mukono: 26,800 PLHIV, 570 new infections
Luwero: 25,000 PLHIV, 560 new infections
Mubende: 24,000 PLHIV, 540 new infections

These figures highlight how the epidemic remains geographically uneven and underscores the ongoing risk of localized transmission.

Concerns About Children and Youth

Despite strong progress, Parliament raised concerns about rising infections among youth and mother-to-child transmission. The national fact sheet estimates 4,700 new infections among children aged 0–14 in the past year.

Hon. Sarah Kayagi, Chairperson of the Committee, expressed concern:
“We appreciate the progress, but it is deeply worrying that thousands of children are still being infected at birth.”

Etti acknowledged that while maternal HIV response systems have improved, significant challenges remain, especially in areas with poor access to antenatal care and late ART initiation.

Further alarming statistics show 21,000 of the 37,000 new infections in 2024 were among young girls, compared to 11,000 among boys. This gender gap has raised urgent calls for better education, protection, and outreach for girls.

Roadmap to End AIDS in Uganda by 2030

To reduce donor reliance and boost local ownership, UAC has launched an HIV Sustainability Roadmap. By 2027, at least 60% of non-commodity HIV costs are expected to be funded domestically. That figure is set to rise to 80% by 2030 through mechanisms such as:

A National Health Insurance Scheme
Health bonds
Debt-to-health swaps

Lawmakers such as Hon. Michael Kakembo and Hon. Denis Oneka Lit commended the UAC for progress but also called for renewed efforts to reach men and other underserved populations. Kakembo pointed to falling condom use, while Lit suggested innovative outreach like HIV awareness in social spaces.

“We are confident that by strengthening partnerships, investing in prevention, and integrating HIV into all development programmes, Uganda can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” Etti emphasized.

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This story was first reported by Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. Read the full article here.