Uganda moves toward 2030 HIV elimination targets despite high infection rates

The Uganda AIDS Commission reports that the country is making progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Government health officials noted that the nation has achieved high rates of treatment enrollment and viral load suppression among adults who know their status. The Uganda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment shows that 99.1 percent of adult Ugandans who know their status are enrolled in treatment. Of those individuals, 96.5 percent have achieved viral load suppression.

These figures follow the launch of the Presidential Fast-Track Initiative by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to accelerate the country's health goals. Despite these successes, officials say the country faces a challenge in reducing new infections. The government aims to limit new HIV infections to fewer than 10,000 per year, but current figures show 34,000 new infections.

Dr Vincent Bagambe of the Uganda AIDS Commission stated that the country must address high infection rates among adolescent girls and young women to meet the 2030 deadline. The Uganda AIDS Commission plans to host the National HIV/AIDS Symposium at Mbarara University of Science and Technology from November 16 to 18. The event will allow scientists and students to share research on why the country is not currently hitting its infection targets.

Dr Ruth Senyonyi, the commission's board chairperson, noted that securing financing remains essential to the success of the national response.