By Ambrose Gahene
Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) is set to host the National HIV and AIDS Symposium 2026. The revelation was made by Canon Dr. Ruth Senyonyi, the Uganda Aids Commission (UAC) Board Chairperson, while addressing Journalists at the Uganda Media Centre, in Kampala on Tuesday.
Dr. Senyonyi, who was in the company of HIV/AIDS stakeholder organizations, said the symposium’s primary objective is to review progress made towards the country HIV epidemic control targets, as enshrined in the Presidential Fast-Track Initiative goal of ending AIDS as a Public Health threat by 2030.
“It is an opportunity for partners to;disseminate ground breaking research and implementation science, reflect on the progress in transitioning from donor to domestic financing of the national HIV response and showcase the available services and technologies for addressing HIV and AIDS“
“We shall also commemorate Philly Lutaaya Memorial Day (PLMD) and the other heroes who left a legacy in advocating for openness and disclosure despite the rampant HIV related stigma and discrimination”, she said.
She said, this year, UAC is to partner with Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) to host the NHAS, from 16th to 18th November at the University’s Pharmacology Grounds.
“The theme for this year is Sustainable Interventions to End AIDS as a Public Health Threat by 2030”, she added.
She said in 2017, H.E the President, Yower Kaguta Museveni, rallied HIV/AIDS stakeholders through the Presidential Fast-Track Initiative towards Ending AIDS as a Public Health Threat by 2030.
“Whereas we have made tremendous progress towards this goal, we see gaps like the new HIV infections among young people especially the adolescent girls and young women not declining”, she further said.
Mr. Etii Tom, UAC Director Partnership, said Uganda has about 1,496,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) aged 15 years and above. He said the overall total is about 1.567,000 people when you add approximately 71,000 children aged 0-14 years living with HIV.
He said HIV Prevalence among Young People 15-24 years is 1.5 percent (1.0 percent among boys and 2. percent among girls)
“Geographically, the highest HIV prevalence is in South Western (8.0 percent), South Buganda (7.3 percent), North Buganda (7.2 percent); Mid North (6.8 percent), while the lowest prevalence is in Karamoja (1.3 percent) and West Nile (1.4 percent)”, he said
He added that New HIV infections dropped by 64 percent since 2010 to 34,000 in 2025: 87 percent adults, 13 percent children.
“The good news is that vertical (mother-to-child) infections dropped by 78 percent since 2010 to 4,400 in 2025”, he added.
