The Ministry of Health is set to roll out the countrywide use of Lenacapavir injection, with initial administration beginning at Lira Regional Referral Hospital as part of efforts to strengthen HIV prevention in Uganda.
Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued guidelines recommending injectable Lenacapavir (LEN) as a twice-yearly pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention.
According to Ministry of Health Communications Manager Emmanuel Ainebyona, the rollout will prioritise districts with high HIV prevalence and key populations at higher risk of infection.
He clarified that the injection is not a vaccine but a preventive treatment administered twice a year. He also noted that health workers will assess and investigate individuals before administering the drug to ensure proper eligibility.
The Ministry has already selected three districts in the Ankole sub-region for the initial rollout: Kazo, Mbarara, and Ibanda. In these areas, the injection will be provided at Kazo Health Centre IV, Bufunda Health Centre IV in Ibanda, and Bwizibwera Health Centre IV in Mbarara District.
The programme will also extend to more than 120 health facilities across the country as part of the phased national rollout.
Edgar Kansiime, the Kazo District Health Officer, said the long-acting injection is expected to improve adherence to HIV prevention by reducing reliance on daily tablets.
However, he urged the public to continue using existing prevention methods such as condom use alongside the new intervention.
Uganda currently has over 1.5 million people living with HIV, including approximately 930,000 women, 570,000 men, and 71,000 children.
Health officials say the introduction of Lenacapavir marks a significant step in expanding HIV prevention options and strengthening the country’s response to the epidemic.