News
2026 World AIDS Day concert to fight HIV stigma
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Uganda Cares has organised the concert to be held at Lugogo Millennium Grounds on November 27.
An HIV advocacy concert will be held as part of the activities to commemorate this year's World AIDS Day in Uganda. (File photo)
By: Nelson Mandela Muhoozi, Journalist @New Vision
______________
An HIV advocacy concert will be held as part of the activities to commemorate this year's World AIDS Day in Uganda.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Uganda Cares has organised the concert to be held at Lugogo Millennium Grounds on November 27.
AHF Uganda Cares country programme director Henry Magala said the concert will use music and entertainment to fight HIV-related stigma as Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 World AIDS Day.
The concert is expected to bring together musicians, comedians and health professionals to engage young people in HIV awareness activities, including free HIV testing, health screenings and information on prevention, treatment and care.
Artistes unveiled for the event include Acidic Vocals, King Michael and Roden Y Kabako, alongside comedians Maulana and Reign.
Magala said the organisation was turning to entertainment because conventional approaches to HIV awareness were not sufficiently reaching young people, particularly those aged between 15 and 30.
“As an AIDS care foundation, we have noted that over time, the message about HIV prevention and treatment has usually been concentrated around traditional spaces that young people do not have the appetite to visit. As an organisation, we thought it right to have a concert, which communicates much more clearly to young people,” Magala said during the concert launch on October 30 in Kampala.
He said the concert would provide an opportunity to communicate HIV prevention messages in an environment that young people find engaging while encouraging them to take responsibility for their health.
Artistes unveiled for the event include Acidic Vocals, King Michael and Roden Y Kabako, alongside comedians Maulana and Reign.
Magala said the organisation was turning to entertainment because conventional approaches to HIV awareness were not sufficiently reaching young people, particularly those aged between 15 and 30.
“As an AIDS care foundation, we have noted that over time, the message about HIV prevention and treatment has usually been concentrated around traditional spaces that young people do not have the appetite to visit. As an organisation, we thought it right to have a concert, which communicates much more clearly to young people,” Magala said during the concert launch on October 30 in Kampala.
He said the concert would provide an opportunity to communicate HIV prevention messages in an environment that young people find engaging while encouraging them to take responsibility for their health.
Magala also pointed to the progress Uganda has made in controlling the epidemic, saying HIV prevalence had declined from about 18% to approximately 5% over the years.
“Years ago, HIV was much of a concern, but right now, these are the reasons we need to celebrate because HIV prevalence was around 18%, but right now it is at 5%,” he said.
However, he cautioned against complacency, emphasising the need to sustain awareness, prevention, testing and treatment efforts despite the gains made.
The concert comes as Uganda continues to grapple with a significant HIV burden, with an estimated 1.49 million adults living with the virus.
Figures provided for the initiative indicate that 85.5% of adults living with HIV know their status, highlighting the continued need to expand testing and ensure more people are reached with accurate information and services.
“Years ago, HIV was much of a concern, but right now, these are the reasons we need to celebrate because HIV prevalence was around 18%, but right now it is at 5%,” he said.
However, he cautioned against complacency, emphasising the need to sustain awareness, prevention, testing and treatment efforts despite the gains made.
The concert comes as Uganda continues to grapple with a significant HIV burden, with an estimated 1.49 million adults living with the virus.
Figures provided for the initiative indicate that 85.5% of adults living with HIV know their status, highlighting the continued need to expand testing and ensure more people are reached with accurate information and services.