Candlelight Memorial Day: Uganda honours lives lost to AIDS
Held under the theme “Ending AIDS by 2030: Embracing the role of women,” the commemoration began with a walk from City Square at 7:30 am before participants converged at the school grounds for the main event.
Minister of the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda, the chief guest, joined other women as Uganda commemorated Candlelight Memorial Day during a national event held at Kitante Hill Secondary School on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
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Uganda on Tuesday joined the rest of the world in commemorating Candlelight Memorial Day with a national event at Kitante Hill Secondary School, as renewed calls were made to end AIDS by 2030 and address the disproportionate impact of HIV on women and girls.
Held under the theme “Ending AIDS by 2030: Embracing the role of women,” the commemoration began with a walk from City Square at 7:30 am before participants converged at the school grounds for the main event.
Minister of the Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda and the director of planning and strategic information at the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) presided over the celebrations.
Dr Vincent Bagambe, Director of Planning and Strategic Information at the Uganda AIDS Commission, delivering his remarks during the event. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
The Deputy Inspector General of Government (IGG), Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, attended as the keynote speaker, while the US Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy, Mikael (Mika) Cleverley, was also present.
The Deputy Inspector General of Government (IGG), Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Other dignitaries in attendance included ministers, Members of Parliament, AIDS development partners, religious and cultural leaders, researchers and members of academia.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is an annual event observed on the third Sunday of May. It serves as a community-led mobilisation campaign to honour lives lost to AIDS, reduce stigma and celebrate progress in the global HIV response.
HIV burden
Uganda continues to grapple with high rates of new HIV infections. In 2024 alone, 37,000 new infections were recorded nationwide.
Young women aged 15 to 24 remain disproportionately affected, accounting for 78% of infections among adolescents. Four out of every five young people newly infected are girls and young women.
HIV prevalence slightly declined from 5.1% in 2023 to 4.9% in 2024. Annual AIDS-related deaths have also dropped significantly, from 54,000 in 2010 to 20,000 in 2024.
Approximately 1.5 million Ugandans are living with HIV, with about 1.3 million currently on antiretroviral therapy.