Join Us for the National HIV and AIDS Symposium 2024: Progress and Innovations in Uganda’s Fight Against HIV
On November 13, 2024, the Uganda AIDS Commission will host a pivotal National HIV and AIDS Symposium at the Office of the President’s Main Auditorium. This is a unique opportunity for stakeholders, health workers, policy makers, and the general public to come together and discuss the state of Uganda’s national HIV response. The event promises to be enlightening, showcasing the latest innovations in HIV prevention and providing updates on domestic resource mobilization efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Reflecting on 42 Years of Progress
This year marks 42 years since the first case of AIDS was diagnosed in Uganda in 1982. The establishment of the Uganda AIDS Commission a decade later represented a significant turning point for our nation’s fight against this epidemic. Back then, the HIV prevalence rate stood at a staggering 18%, and the diagnosis of HIV was often perceived as a death sentence.
Thanks to the unwavering leadership of His Excellency the President and the support of various development partners, we have witnessed a remarkable turnaround in our national HIV response. The latest estimates for 2024 reveal a national HIV prevalence of just 5.1%. New infections have decreased dramatically from 83,000 in 2010 to just 38,000, and AIDS-related deaths have dropped from 53,000 to an encouraging 19,000. Furthermore, the number of babies born with HIV has plummeted from 30,000 to only 4,700 over the past decade.
This extraordinary progress is a testament to the collective efforts of all stakeholders, inclusive of Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and implementing partners, who have dedicated their energies and resources toward fighting this epidemic. We owe much of our success to collaborative strategies and innovative health interventions.
The Current Snapshot: HIV Response in Uganda (as of December 2023)
Although we have made significant strides, the fight is far from over. The current statistics are a stark reminder of the challenges we still face:
New HIV Infections: 38,000
- Men (15+): 11,000
- Women (15+): 22,000Children (0-14): 4,700
Total People Living with HIV: 1,492,407
- Adult Men: 490,000
- Adult Women: 910,000
- Children: 72,000
Annual AIDS-related Deaths: 20,000
- Men (15+): 7,800
- Women (15+): 8,200
- Children (0-14): 3,200
Achieving the 95-95-95 Targets
Our commitment to the 95-95-95 targets is evident:
- 92% of people living with HIV know their status
- 90% are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART)
- 94% of those on ART are virally suppressed
These numbers are promising and offer a strong foundation for continued progress, but they also signal that we must enhance our collective efforts to ensure that no one is left behind as we strive to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Invitation to Engage
At the National HIV and AIDS Symposium, we will have the honor of hearing from notable speakers including the US Ambassador to Uganda, William W. Popp, and UNAIDS Uganda Country Director, Jacqueline Makokha. We are also privileged to have the Minister for the Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda, as our chief guest.
Come join us in this vital conversation and be part of the solution to ensure the all-encompassing goal of an AIDS-free Uganda. Together, we can accelerate progress and turn the tide against HIV/AIDS for good.
This symposium is more than an event; it is a movement towards a healthier, more responsive Uganda. Let us come together to share knowledge, strategize, and reinforce our commitment to ending this epidemic once and for all.
