Health 24 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Experts Advocate for Lenacapavir to Combat High HIV Rates in Kigezi
Health experts in Uganda's Kigezi sub-region are urging for increased access to HIV prevention methods, specifically mentioning Lenacapavir, as Rukungiri District reports the highest HIV prevalence in the area. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/experts-want-lenacapavir-focus-as-kigezi-hiv-rates-remain-high-5608428
Health and communication specialists in the Kigezi sub-region of Uganda are emphasizing the critical need for broader access to HIV pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis, with a particular focus on Lenacapavir. This call comes amid concerning HIV prevalence rates, especially in Rukungiri District, which has emerged as the highest in the Kigezi area.
Recent statistics from the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) released in December 2025 indicate that Rukungiri District has an HIV prevalence of 8.1 percent. This figure is significantly higher than other districts in the sub-region, including Kanungu (6 percent), Kabale (5.2 percent), and Kisoro (2 percent).
Dr. Davis Ahabwe, principal medical officer in Rukungiri Municipality, stated that enhancing the availability of preventive measures, particularly Lenacapavir, could be instrumental in curbing HIV transmission. He also suggested that Rukungiri’s high prevalence might be partly due to its central location and the accessibility of HIV testing services, which attract individuals from neighboring districts.
Communication officers and journalists have been urged to play a more active role in encouraging community members to get tested and know their HIV status, aligning with Uganda’s national goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The national 95-95-95 targets aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95% on treatment to achieve viral suppression.
Brian Masimbi, a principal statistician at the UAC, identified several contributing factors to HIV transmission, including multiple sexual partnerships, low condom usage, substance abuse, and complacency due to the availability of antiretroviral treatment. He also cited poverty, stigma, discrimination, and socio-cultural practices.
Masimbi stressed the importance of collective action and stronger country ownership in the HIV response to meet the 2030 target. Experts suggest that Kigezi region should aim for even more ambitious goals, potentially a 100-100-100 strategy, given the higher prevalence rates in some districts compared to the national average of 4.9 percent in 2025.