Health 30 August 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Wakiso Faces Critical Shortage of HIV Testing Kits and Condoms Amidst Rising Infections
Wakiso District, currently leading Uganda in new HIV cases, is experiencing an acute shortage of essential HIV testing kits and free government-supplied condoms, hindering prevention and treatment efforts. The situation is exacerbated by a reported decline in condom usage among youth and increasing public complacency. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/wakiso-battles-acute-hiv-testing-condom-shortages-amid-infection-spike-5576480
Wakiso District is facing a critical public health challenge as it runs critically low on essential supplies for HIV prevention and diagnosis. The district, which recorded the highest number of new HIV infections in Uganda last year, has completely depleted its stock of free government condoms and vital testing kits, including the Stat-Pak used for confirming diagnoses.
The scarcity of testing kits is particularly concerning, as early testing is crucial for initiating life-saving antiretroviral therapy and preventing further spread of the virus. For those who test negative, access to prevention methods like PrEP and condoms is essential for maintaining their status.
This shortage comes at a particularly worrying time for Wakiso. A recent report by the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) highlighted the district’s alarming HIV burden, with 3,950 new infections recorded annually – more than double the infections in the entire Acholi sub-region combined.
In response to the crisis, non-governmental organizations are stepping in. Marie Stopes Uganda has launched a nationwide campaign to lower condom prices, starting in Kasenge, Wakiso, a densely populated area with many young adults. The price of LifeGuard condoms has been significantly reduced from Shs2,000 to Shs700 per packet, with mobile units set to distribute them to high-transmission areas.
Beyond supply issues, public health officials like Ms. Julliet Nassuna, Wakiso District’s HIV Focal Person, point to a concerning rise in risky behaviors and public complacency. The UAC’s Joint Annual AIDS Review indicates stagnant or worsening key behavioral indicators, with condom usage among adolescent males and females showing a notable decline between the 2020/2021 and 2022/2023 financial years.
Ms. Nassuna also cited high youth unemployment and the proliferation of unregulated commercial establishments as contributing factors to the rising transmission rates in Wakiso. She urged for stricter government regulation of bars, massage parlors, and spas to help curb the spread of HIV.