Health 6 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Advances Monthly HIV Injections to Replace Daily Pills
Ugandan health experts are pushing for long-acting injectable antiretrovirals like cabotegravir and rilpivirine to replace daily pills, with injections every two months showing equal effectiveness in suppressing the virus. African-led trials have prompted WHO guideline updates, and generic versions could soon make this accessible nationwide. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/scientists-eye-monthly-hiv-jab-to-replace-pills-5449484
Ugandan researchers and officials are working to roll out long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV patients, shifting from daily pills to injections every eight weeks.
This combination of cabotegravir and rilpivirine aims to simplify lifelong treatment, boost adherence, cut AIDS deaths, and curb transmission through better viral suppression.
Dr. Robert Mutumba, head of the Ministry of Health’s AIDS Control Programme, shared optimism in an interview, stating that Ugandans could soon access these injectables as the initiative progresses.
Dr. Cissy Kityo, director of the Joint Clinical Research Centre, led Africa-wide trials for these drugs. She highlighted adherence challenges with oral meds and noted that their study results prompted the World Health Organisation to update guidelines.
Phase 3b trial data, published in Nature Medicine, showed 97% viral suppression rates at 96 weeks for both injectable and oral groups, proving the shots are non-inferior with good safety.
Focus now turns to generic production for affordability. Dr. Kityo anticipates generics by mid-next year and calls for collaboration among patients, civil society, and the Health Minister to speed access.
Uganda reported 37,000 new HIV infections and 20,000 related deaths in 2025, with 1.5 million people living with the virus.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)