Minister Babalanda calls for stronger national drive to end HIV by 2030

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The Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, has called for concrete action and stronger coordination across all sectors, along with increased investment and amplified community engagement, to end HIV and AIDS in Uganda by 2030.

She described the epidemic as a silent war that requires renewed urgency.

Babalanda also highlighted the importance of empowering communities and civil society to sustain the fight at the grassroots level. She made the call while officiating at the close of the three-day Fourth National HIV and AIDS Symposium held at the Mbarara University grounds.

The symposium, which attracted experts from across the country, was organised under the theme “Organising a sustainable HIV response to end AIDS as a public threat.”

Valentine Muhereza commonly known as Kachaina, a comedian and popular figure in Western Uganda, delivering a talk at the symposium. (Photo by Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

Babalanda urged stakeholders to intensify efforts to reach vulnerable groups to ensure that no one is left behind in the national HIV response. She expressed government's commitment to supporting scientists, particularly in research aimed at finding a cure for HIV.

She emphasised the need to reawaken communities to commit fully to ending AIDS as a public health threat and achieving zero new infections, zero HIV stigma and zero AIDS related deaths.

Babalanda reminded participants that the country has made significant progress, with HIV prevalence reducing from 18 percent in the early 1990s to 4.9 percent today, and new infections falling by more than 60 percent since 2010.

She attributed these gains to the political commitment of the government of Uganda under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni.

“The journey is not yet complete, the number of new HIV infections remains higher than the number AIDs AIDS-related cases, reminding us that the epidemic control has not yet been achieved, young women continue to account for a significant proportion of new infections,” she stated.

According to Dr Nelson Musoba, the director general of the Uganda AIDS Commission, the Joint AIDS Report showed a marked decline in new infections, reduced stigma, improved coordination, scientific innovation in prevention, and strengthened approaches to sustainable HIV response.

Musoba noted that the country now has a new five-year National HIV Strategic Plan intended to guide Uganda towards ending AIDS by 2030, along with a new HIV partnership mechanism to improve coordination.

Financing dominated discussions at the symposium, with participants urging the government to take immediate action.

Babalanda acknowledged the urgent need for Uganda to transition to domestically driven and sustainable financing for the HIV response.

She said government is committed to domestic resource mobilisation, as emphasised in the HIV sustainability roadmap, including integrating HIV financing into national and local government budgets and identifying innovative funding sources from within government.

On ending AIDS by 2030, Babalanda said achieving the goal requires not only more resources but also more efficient, transparent and accountable use of available resources at all levels.

She reiterated the need to support scientists working to find a cure for HIV, which she described as a unique disease. She said government will continue supporting research and innovation as a key pillar of the HIV response, ensuring that policies and interventions are guided by evidence.

During the symposium, the legacy of Philly Bongole Lutaaya was honoured, with speakers praising him for giving the epidemic a human face, breaking the silence, fighting stigma and inspiring a national movement of compassion and awareness.

Ankole Diocese Bishop Rt Rev Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa (in centre) who was the keynote speaker at the symposium, Mbarara District woman MP Margaret Rwebyambu (left) and other participants attending the last day of the 4th National HIV/AIDS Symposium held at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) grounds. (Photo by Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

“As we commemorate Lutaaya’s legacy, let us renew our determination to eliminate stigma and discrimination on all fronts. Every Ugandan living with HIV deserves dignity, equal opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Let us honour Lutaaya not just in music but through action by ensuring that our places, schools and communities are free from stigma,” Babalanda added.

She also commended people living with HIV for their resilience.

Bishop Mwesigwa advocates spiritual intervention

The Bishop of Ankole Diocese, Rt Rev. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, who was a keynote speaker, called for the integration of spiritual approaches into the national HIV and AIDS response. He also expressed concern about declining funding, which he said is hampering progress.

Bishop Mwesigwa emphasised the need to involve young people in all campaigns aimed at eliminating HIV.

“For the HIV response to be sustainable, it must be designed, implemented, and led with and by the youth, and not just for them,” Mwesigwa stated.

He urged all stakeholders, particularly government, to strengthen support for the national response.

“The end of AIDS will not come by chance, but by courageous faith, informed youth, and a government that chooses to act,” he added.

Mbarara district chairperson Didas Tabaro called for mandatory HIV testing and urged government to make it a policy, arguing that this would help reduce the spread of the disease. Mbarara district woman MP Margaret Rwebyambu highlighted the need to address communication gaps in HIV programming.

Lucky Ariho Rwabukumba, guild president of Mbarara University of Science and Technology, called for more programmes targeting adolescent boys, young men, adolescent girls and young women, noting that Uganda cannot end AIDS by 2030 if the youth remain at the centre of new infections.

Fravia Kyomukama, executive director of the National Forum of People Living with HIV and AIDS Networks Uganda, called for greater investment in research to find a cure and increased recognition for people living with HIV.