The Ministry of Health Uganda has officially launched Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking injectable drug for HIV prevention, marking a significant step forward in the country’s fight against new infections.
The new intervention, unveiled on Friday, introduces a long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option administered just once every six months, offering a more convenient alternative to daily oral prevention methods.
Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero described the rollout as a “historic milestone” in Uganda’s ambition to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
“Lenacapavir represents a major advancement in HIV prevention. It expands choice and improves accessibility, especially for populations at higher risk,” she said during the launch.
Clinical trial evidence shows the drug is highly effective in preventing HIV infection when used as prescribed. However, officials emphasized that it does not protect against pregnancy or other sexually transmitted infections and will be offered alongside existing prevention methods such as condoms, safe medical circumcision, and oral PrEP.
Uganda has made notable progress in recent years, reducing new HIV infections from about 96,000 in 2010 to approximately 37,000 by the end of 2025. Despite these gains, the virus remains a major public health challenge, particularly among adolescent girls, young women, and other high-risk groups facing structural barriers such as stigma and limited access to healthcare.
The rollout will be implemented in phases, initially targeting high-burden districts. The Ministry has already trained healthcare workers in 103 facilities, which will begin offering the drug this month. By December 2026, the number of facilities providing Lenacapavir is expected to rise to 300 nationwide.
The initiative is supported by global partners, including the World Health Organization, Global Fund, and the United States government, alongside pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences.
Speaking at the event, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Mikael Cleverley hailed Lenacapavir as a “groundbreaking innovation” and reaffirmed commitments to expand access. He noted that the U.S. and partners aim to reach three million people in high-burden countries with the drug by 2028.
Health officials say the introduction of Lenacapavir is expected to strengthen Uganda’s comprehensive HIV prevention strategy and accelerate progress toward ending the epidemic.
