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The country continues to register a drop in the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, the just-released Annual Joint AIDS Review Report 2022/23 has revealed. 

The same report indicates that there has been a declining trend in the new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths from 2019/20 baselines of 54,000 and 21,000 to 51,516 and 17,000 respectively in the financial year 2022/23, but has stagnated between the financial year 2021/22 and 2022/23. 

This calls for more efforts to reach epidemic control. 

Based on the epi-data country estimates for the financial year 2022, HIV prevalence among the adult population (15-49 years) has reduced to 5.1% by 2022 from 5.2% in 2021. 

Additionally, HIV incidence among adults is at 0.22% and overall, 51,516 new infections were registered in FY 2022. 

An estimated 1,433,337 people were Living with HIV (PLHIV) as of December 2022, of which 1,403,603 (98%) were on ART as of June 2023, and 17,337 AIDS-related deaths occurred. 

95-95-95 targets 

Uganda also achieved a 90-94-94 performance against the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for epidemic control by 2025, with children below 14 years having the lowest values for the first (72%) and third target (84%). 

The final annual joint AIDS review report has just been released during the ongoing HIV and AIDS symposium that is happening at Millennium Park in Lugogo (former KCCA grounds).

The three-day symposium will end on Thursday, November 16. 

UVRI boss speaks out 

Speaking to New Vision, on Tuesday, the executive director of Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, noted that it is an achievement because the country is aiming at ending the pandemic by 2030, through the prevention of infection, but also through management and treatment of people who are infected, consequently contributing to prevention of the spread.  

With the 95-95-95 targets, if all people are diagnosed, put on treatment and they are suppressed, then the country will move towards a reduction in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, Prof. Kaleebu said.