KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Ministry of Health has today announced the arrival of the first consignment of 19,200 doses of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV prevention drug, marking a significant advancement in the country's efforts to curb new infections.
The shipment, supported by the Global Fund, arrived on Tuesday, February 24, and will be distributed to high-burden and high-incidence districts effective March 2026 .
Lenacapavir is a revolutionary pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option administered via subcutaneous injection once every six months. Unlike daily oral PrEP pills, this long-acting formula offers a more convenient and discreet option for individuals who may struggle with daily medication adherence due to stigma, busy schedules, or pill fatigue .
Clinical trials conducted in Uganda and South Africa have demonstrated that Lenacapavir is more than 99% effective in preventing HIV acquisition among high-risk populations. The research, which involved contributions from Ugandan institutions including Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH), was critical to this breakthrough .
Targeted Distribution to High-Burden Areas
The initial doses will be prioritised for persons at substantial risk of acquiring HIV, including:
· Adolescent girls and young women (ages 15–24)
· Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
· Sex workers
· Long-distance truck drivers and fishermen
· Individuals in serodiscordant relationships .
Health facilities in selected high-burden and high-incidence districts will administer the injection following HIV testing and risk assessment. The rollout will leverage existing PrEP service delivery points to ensure seamless integration into current HIV prevention programmes .
Uganda is among the top ten high-burden countries selected to access Lenacapavir through support from the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund. This initiative is part of a broader US-backed effort to accelerate HIV prevention in heavily affected nations .
The US government and the Global Fund are co-financing an advanced market commitment aimed at making the drug accessible to up to two million people across high-burden countries by 2028 .
Not a Cure, But a Powerful Prevention Tool
Health officials have clarified that Lenacapavir is not a cure for HIV or AIDS. Instead, it is a preventive medicine designed to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV among HIV-negative individuals at substantial risk. The drug works by disrupting the virus's lifecycle, interfering with its protective outer shell .
According to the Uganda AIDS Commission, an estimated 1.5 million people were living with HIV in Uganda as of late 2024, with approximately 730 new infections recorded weekly. While this represents progress—annual AIDS-related deaths have declined from 54,000 in 2010 to 20,000 in 2024—the introduction of Lenacapavir signals a new chapter in Uganda's prevention strategy .
The National Drug Authority (NDA) approved Lenacapavir for use in Uganda in January 2026 following rigorous assessment to ensure it meets national and internationally accepted quality, safety, and efficacy standards .
Health workers are currently undergoing training to administer the subcutaneous injection. The Ministry of Health urges the public to continue using available prevention methods, including oral PrEP, condoms, and other protective measures, as the country works toward epidemic control by 2030 .
