Uganda and the United States are in advanced discussions to introduce lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable hailed as a breakthrough in HIV prevention.
“The United States and Government of Uganda are working closely together to develop a rollout plan and continue to discuss the doses and resources that are available,” said Yasmeen Hibrawi, U.S. Embassy Uganda Public Affairs Counselor, in a statement to UG Diplomat.
Yasmeen added, “The U.S. government, through PEPFAR, will initially procure lenacapavir directly from Gilead Sciences, including for Uganda.”
Lenacapavir, developed by U.S.-based Gilead Sciences, has shown remarkable results in clinical trials, with more than 99% of people on the drug remaining HIV negative.
The medicine is being positioned as a game-changer in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
Uganda is among just ten high-burden HIV countries selected to receive the drug under the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The rollout is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the United States and the Global Fund—where Washington is the largest donor—committing to purchase doses for up to 2 million people across priority countries by 2028.
Gilead has also agreed to supply lenacapavir at cost and license generic manufacturers to produce the drug at scale, a move expected to drive down prices and ensure long-term sustainability for local health systems.
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U.S. Ambassador to Uganda William W. Popp welcomed the initiative, calling lenacapavir “a medical breakthrough to reduce new HIV infections in the communities that need it most.”
He stressed that the collaboration between American researchers and Ugandan scientists highlights the power of innovation and partnership in saving lives.
With Uganda’s HIV prevalence estimated at around 5.1% of the adult population, health experts say lenacapavir could significantly accelerate progress toward ending HIV as a public health threat.
