By Diana. N. Kintu
The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) has officially launched the 2025 World AIDS Day Torch and Awareness Campaign, marking the start of a nationwide effort to intensify public education on HIV and renew the country’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The launch, held in Kampala, was conducted in collaboration with the private sector organisation Village Journeys Africa and aligns with President Yoweri Museveni’s Fast-Track Initiative on AIDS.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the Uganda AIDS Commission Board emphasised the urgent need for continued awareness efforts. She highlighted that the campaign is designed to provide accurate and accessible information, particularly targeting young people, to encourage behavioural change and reduce new HIV infections.
According to recent national data, Uganda has made notable progress in managing the HIV epidemic. Currently, an estimated 1.5 million people are living with HIV in the country, including 930,000 women, 570,000 men, and 71,000 children. The national prevalence rate stands at 4.9%, with a disproportionately higher burden among women, who have a prevalence rate of 6.4%, compared to 3.4% among men.
Of particular concern is the high rate of new infections among adolescent girls and young women, who account for 78% of new cases in their age group, while young men account for only 22%. Uganda recorded 37,000 new HIV infections by December 2024, reflecting a slight decrease from 38,150 new cases in 2023. AIDS-related deaths have also declined significantly, dropping by 64% since 2010, with 20,000 deaths recorded in 2024. Despite this progress, mortality remains higher among men, highlighting the need to intensify male-targeted interventions.
The Uganda AIDS Commission identified key drivers of new HIV infections, including having multiple sexual partners, unprotected relationships where one partner is HIV-positive and the other is not aware of their status, and transactional sex. Low condom use, limited male circumcision coverage, substance abuse, and a growing sense of complacency due to widespread availability of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) also contribute to ongoing transmission.
As part of the campaign, Village Journeys Africa will travel across selected cities to promote the national commitment to achieving the “three zeros”: zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. The campaign will leverage community engagement, educational materials, and media outreach to reach diverse populations, particularly the youth.
The Presidential Fast-Track Initiative on AIDS provides a strategic framework for the campaign, anchored on five key pillars. The first pillar emphasises engaging more men in HIV prevention to reduce new infections among young women. The second focusses on accelerating HIV treatment to achieve the 95 targets, ensuring that people know their status, access treatment, and achieve viral suppression, with particular attention to men and young people. The third pillar seeks to maintain progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The fourth and fifth pillars aim to secure sustainable funding and ensure an effective, well-coordinated national response.
In her closing remarks, the UAC Chairperson urged all Ugandans to participate actively in the campaign. She stressed that the fight against HIV requires collective responsibility and continuous awareness to ensure that no one, especially the younger generation, is left behind.
The World AIDS Day 2025 campaign underscores Uganda’s commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic and serves as a reminder that informed communities, early testing, consistent treatment, and reduced stigma remain critical in the fight against HIV/AIDS.