High demand depletes HIV prevention drug in Lira, as nationwide distribution lags

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Just three days after Uganda had officially rolled out the long-acting HIV prevention injection lenacapavir, Lira Regional Referral Hospital, which has been the only facility in Lira city, has run out of the drug, highlighting both the high demand for the new intervention and the challenges of limited initial supply.

The rollout, launched on April 17, 2026 and officiated by health minister Jane Ruth Aceng, has been hailed as a breakthrough in HIV prevention, offering protection through just two injections a year. However, the optimism quickly gave way to pressure on the ground, with many hospitals yet to receive their batches three weeks later.

In a phone interview, Lira Hospital director Andrew Odur said the facility received only 40 doses on April 17, which were fully administered by April 20.

“We have seen an overwhelming response from the community. We continue to receive around 50 people every day asking for this drug, but it's already over,” Odur said, noting that priority had been given to individuals assessed to be at substantial risk of acquiring HIV.

Odur added that they have already contacted the health ministry and National Medical Stores and are waiting for another allocation, which has not yet been confirmed.

Slow nationwide rollout

The Lira stockout comes amid a slow nationwide phased rollout of the drug, which is being introduced in limited quantities across selected health facilities. Uganda received 19,200 doses in February 2026, an initial batch of doses supported by global partners, with more shipments expected later in the year.

According to the information received by New Vision Online, only a handful of facilities, and only in Kampala, have received their doses. However, the Government approved 103 facilities to give out these doses.

In Kampala, New Vision Online has learnt that three facilities have these doses: JCRC Lubowa (100 doses), and MARPI Mulago received 49 doses, and by the end of last week, 20 doses had been given out.

In the health ministry's plan, seven health facilities in Kampala city were listed among the 103 national facilities to receive these drugs, including MARPI, JCRC, Kisenyi health centre, Kiswa health centre 3, Lubaga hospital, Nsambya hospital, Mengo hospital and AIDS information; however, New Vision Online has learnt that only two facilities have received.

Beyond Kampala, New Vision Online checked on five facilities (districts) like Mbarara, Mityana, Kalangala, Gulu and Fort Portal city, where the HIV prevalence is above the national average (5.1%), but none of them have got Lenacapavir. Elsewhere, the army has received its batch, and this will be accessed at the military facility in Bombo.

“We have not yet received the doses, and we do not know yet when they will come. Very many people flock to Mbarara Health Centre IV looking for them, but nothing is there." An anti-HIV expert from Mbarara told New Vision Online.  

“We do not know yet when we will have it, but we were told that many people, including university students, come asking for it, and some of the doctors here were trained." A doctor at Kiswa Health Centre 3 in Bugolobi, Kampala, said.

New Vision Online has learnt that doctors in these facilities have been taken for refresher training about this drug, with the rollout expected to be massive at the end of May. Much as last year before the rollout, the ministry constantly noted that all health workers were trained and ready for the rollout.

Supplies are still low

In an interview with Dr Herbert Kadama, the national co-ordinator for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), acknowledged that the initial supply is not sufficient to meet demand across all eligible populations; that’s why only those at the highest risk are eligible.

“The doses are not enough for everyone who needs them. As more supplies come in, more people will be able to access the service,” Kadama said. “What we are seeing is a strong demand, which means people are willing to protect themselves.”

On the slow rollout, Kadama said the National Medical Stores (NMS) have a specific timetable on when it will deliver to other facilities and asked us to get more information from NMS.

NMS spokesperson Sheila Nduhukire refused to comment and instead referred us to the director general of health services at the ministry, Dr Charles Olaro.

What is Lenacapavir?

Lenacapavir is a long-acting antiretroviral drug used for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), meaning it is given to HIV-negative individuals to prevent infection. Unlike daily oral PrEP pills, the injection is administered once every six months, making it a more convenient option for many people at risk.

Access to the injection is also tightly controlled despite fears of it being sold to those who do not fall under the high-risk category. Individuals must first undergo HIV testing and a risk assessment conducted by trained health workers.

Only those classified as being at substantial risk, such as people with multiple sexual partners, discordant couples, sex workers, sexually active young girls, bar waitresses and others in high-risk groups, are eligible.

Kadama said the screening process is necessary to ensure that the limited doses are prioritised for those who need them most.

“It is not for anyone who just wants it. It is for those who are at risk by virtue of their behaviour,” he said.

The rapid depletion of supplies in Lira has also raised questions about equity and access, particularly for individuals who may have arrived after stocks were exhausted. The Ministry of Health, however, maintains that the phased rollout will gradually expand availability as more than 30,000 doses are secured later this year.

In the meantime, health authorities are urging the public to remain patient and to continue using existing HIV prevention methods, including condoms and oral PrEP, where available.

The Ministry has also reiterated that the injection is being provided free of charge at designated government facilities and warned against any attempts to sell the drug.