Kabale District recorded 653 new HIV infections during the 2025/2026 Financial Year, according to records from the District Health Office, a development that has raised concern among district leaders and health experts.
Speaking during the Quarterly HIV Coordination Committee meeting held on Tuesday in the District Health Boardroom, the Kabale District Health Educator and HIV Focal Person, Alfred Besigensi, revealed that Southern Division registered the highest number of new HIV infections with 194 cases, followed by Central Division with 176 cases. Northern Division recorded 61 cases, while Katuna Town Council registered 50 cases.
Other areas recorded the following numbers of new infections: Maziba Sub-county (26), Buhara (25), Kitumba (21), Ryakarimira Town Council (20), Kaharo (19), Kyanamira (19), Kibuga (11), Kamuganguzi (9), Kahungye (8), Butanda (7), and Rubaya (7).
Besigensi noted that the district is recording an average of between 50 and 60 new HIV infections every month. He added that the district’s viral load suppression performance over the past 12 months stood at 98 percent. Out of 8,928 clients eligible for viral load testing, 8,377 were tested, and 8,217 achieved viral suppression.
He further reported that 64 HIV-related deaths were registered during the same period.
Addressing the meeting, the Kabale District Health Officer, Dr. Gilbert Mateeka, said the district has intensified efforts to combat the spread of HIV through targeted interventions among key populations.
Dr. Mateeka revealed that this week health teams engaged commercial sex workers in both Katuna Border and Kabale Municipality, reaching 15 sex workers in Katuna and 50 in Kabale Town. The sessions focused on psychosocial support, HIV prevention, and promoting alternative sources of income.
However, he noted that interactions with the key populations revealed widespread gender-based violence and exploitation. According to Dr. Mateeka, many sex workers reported being assaulted by clients, while others are forced into unprotected sexual encounters, increasing their vulnerability to HIV infection and transmission.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Mateeka expressed optimism about the future of HIV prevention, citing Lenacapavir as a promising breakthrough in the fight against HIV. He noted that the medication is currently available at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital and Kamuganguzi Health Centre.
The Kabale District Vice Chairperson, Prima Hellen Kemanzi, commended the Government of Uganda and development partners for the interventions being implemented to curb HIV infections.
She, however, called for increased sensitization and economic empowerment programmes targeting high-risk groups, particularly key populations, to reduce their vulnerability.
Meanwhile, the Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Michael Muramira Kyakashari, described the rising number of new infections as alarming, especially in areas recording the highest case burden.
He expressed concern that many of the newly infected individuals are aged between 22 and 35 years, noting that this age group is highly mobile and economically active, factors that could accelerate the spread of the virus.
Kyakashari further observed that some of the new infections could involve university students and other young people, underscoring the need for intensified awareness campaigns targeting the youth.
