At least 211 people contracted HIV in Kampala every week between July 2025 and June 2026, according to a KCCA study. The study recorded 11,241 new infections over the 12 months, equivalent to about 937 per month, and an average of 30 new cases a day.
Reviewing 649,570 HIV tests conducted at health facilities across Kampala, women accounted for 64% of the total HIV tests and 62% of new positive cases, while men made up 38% of new positive cases. Although most people tested were aged 20–24, new positive cases were highest among people aged 30–39.
Presenting the results, KCCA’s care and treatment lead, Dr Douglas Tuhumwire, attributed the increase to factors including sexual activity in massage parlours, spas and lodges, domestic violence, structural inequalities and social media-influenced exposure, although further investigation is needed.
Health stakeholders have called for stronger HIV prevention efforts, particularly among young people, amid concerns over declining funding for HIV programmes. They also pointed to stigma, discrimination and gaps in awareness as continuing challenges.
Kampala currently stands at 88% for people who know their HIV status and 78% for diagnosed people enrolled on antiretroviral treatment. However, 97.5% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression, surpassing the third UNAIDS 95-95-95 target.
The figures were presented at the 2026 Kampala HIV/TB Stakeholders’ Meeting on Friday, 21 August, organised under the Reach out Mbuya Community Health Initiative’s PEPFAR-supported HIV/TB project.
