Adjumani marks World AIDS Day under shadow of rising HIV burden

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Health authorities in Adjumani district have reported a worrying increase in HIV infections, with the current prevalence rate standing at 2.4%.

This was revealed during the district’s World AIDS Day celebrations held on December 1, 2025, at the Adjumani Model Secondary School playground under the theme “Building a sustainable HIV response to end AIDS as a public health threat”.

According to the district health officer, Dr Drametu Dominic, Adjumani has now recorded 476 cases, up from 412 the previous year, with 110 cases confirmed between July 2024 and June 2025.

“We are recording a scary surge in HIV infections. Adolescents and young adults are the most affected due to increased cases of immorality, gender-based violence, stigma and fear of being tested,” said Drametu.

He encouraged parents to support their daughters, especially by meeting their basic needs, to reduce the risk of cross-generational sex, which exposes them to HIV and AIDS.

“I want to urge parents, if you have a girl child, please protect and make sure you give them what they want.”

While about 84% of people living with HIV are adhering to treatment, a significant number have defaulted, contributing to high infection rates.

David Emucu, TB and HIV officer at the Infectious Disease Institute (IDI), attributed the rise in infections to low suppression rates and poor adherence among children and adolescents.

“Though we have reduced HIV-related deaths, we still have a challenge of suppression among the young adults, which increases their risks of infection. Let’s support treatment and prevention of our children,” Emucu emphasised.

Mariko Otake, associate protection officer at the UNHCR Adjumani suboffice, noted that gender-based violence remains a major driver of HIV prevalence in the district.

Despite the ongoing 16 Days of Activism and continuous awareness efforts, she said, the global crisis of gender-based violence remains high, affecting one in three women.

“I want to reflect on HIV and AIDS. Both women and girls have the same risks of infections, so it’s all about us. I want to remind all of you that HIV is a preventable disease if all had the knowledge about prevention, access to testing and treatment,” she added.

Sabuni John, secretary for health in Adjumani district, explained that refugee-hosting subcounties such as Dzaipi, Itirikwa and Pakelle have recorded higher infection rates due to economic hardships that have pushed many people into prostitution for survival.

According to a 2022 report, the national HIV prevalence rate stands at 5.1%, with 2.3% for the West Nile region and 2.4% for Adjumani district.

Access to improved sexual reproductive services, distribution of condoms, risk reduction and counselling (peer-led), HIV education and awareness campaigns, encouraging male circumcision, encouraging testing for early diagnosis, access to PEP after potential exposure, and stigma and discrimination reduction programmes all form part of the interventions by Government and partners toward HIV control and prevention.