Uganda recorded a decline in new HIV infections from 54,000 to 52,000 in the period of 2021 to 2022 which translates into a decline of about 4%, according to the country estimates and projections of May 2023.

Despite the decline in new HIV infections, we are yet to celebrate as some regions and districts continue to register high number of new HIV infections.

Last year (2022,) alone, Wakiso district registered about 5, 750 new HIV infections, which averagely translates into about 16 infections on a daily, the Ministry of Health and UNAIDS 2023 district-level HIV estimates and projections revealed.

Wakiso was followed by Kampala district with about 3,340 new HIV infections, which averagely translates into about 9 infections with HIV on a daily.

Buikwe district registered 880 new infections, Mukono registered 860 and was followed by Luwero district with 740 new HIV infections, Mubende district recorded a total of 700 and Kyenjojo registered about 680 new HIV infections.

New HIV infections more prevalent around landing sites

Dr Stephen Mulindwa who is the district Health officer Mukono attributes the high number of new HIV infections to having two industrial parks, the Namanve and Mbalala coupled with the increasing level of rural to urban migration where people come from other districts to seek employment in Mukono. Worth noting, the total number of companies in Mukono district are about 300 and employing about 100,000 people. 

“Where we have a high population, it is possible at the HIV infection rates are likely to increase,” Dr. Mulindwa notes. 

In addition, the district has 19 Islands that comprise of a very mobile community and the Islands are hard to reach and stay.

Uganda Bureau of statistics projections of 2014, put Mukono’s population at 730,000 people.  

The household registration conducted by Village Health Team members in 2022 put the population of Mukono district at 1.4 million.

The district Health Officer Wakiso Dr. Matia Lugolobi attributes the high number of new HIV infections to increased testing services, awareness and high risk sexual behavior given that it has an urban setting.

Wakiso district is estimated to have a population of about 3.4 million people.  

New HIV infections is the number of people who contract the Virus in a given year.

Districts of Amudat and Nabilatuk recorded the lowest number of infections at about 10 while Kabong district registered about 20 new HIV infections.

The district Health Officer Wakiso Dr. Matia Lugolobi attributes the high number of new HIV infections to increased testing services, awareness and high risk sexual behavior given that it has an urban setting. Wakiso district is estimated to have a population of about 3.4 million people.   

The same report has also revealed that city districts also recorded a high number of new infections. For Instance, Gulu City registered a total of 630 new infections, and on average recording two infections daily.

Gulu city was followed by Lira city with 600 new infections. Both Masaka and Jinja city registered 500 new HIV infections. Mbarara city recorded 460 infections while Mbale city registered 450

Regions with high HIV infections

The same the Ministry of Health and UNAIDS 2023 district level HIV estimates and projections revealed that Southern Buganda region took the lead with about 9,820 new HIV infections, followed by Northern Buganda recording a total of 5,730, Ankole recorded 3, 990, Kampala registered 3340, and was followed by Busoga region with 3,200. Acholi region recorded 2, 860 new HIV infections, Bunyoro registered about 2,750, Bukedi registered about 1400 and Elgon region recorded the least new HIV infections of 1,310.