Kabale District has registered a 98 percent HIV viral suppression rate, a significant milestone in its fight against HIV/AIDS, as district leaders and health stakeholders renewed their commitment to strengthening prevention, treatment and community-based interventions.
According to the January–March 2026 quarter report shared by the District Health Educator, Alfred Besigensi on Wednesday, the achievement was highlighted during the District HIV Stakeholders’ Planning Meeting, where health officials, technical leaders and development partners reviewed the district’s HIV response and agreed on strategies to accelerate progress towards ending the epidemic.
The reports indicated that the District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Gilbert Arineitwe Mateeka commended stakeholders for their continued commitment to the district’s HIV response and called for greater collaboration, data-driven planning and efficient use of available resources.
He urged all stakeholders to strengthen HIV prevention efforts by expanding testing services, ensuring timely initiation of treatment, promoting adherence to antiretroviral therapy and integrating HIV interventions into all district departments.
According to the District HIV Focal Person Oren Aryeija, Kabale District, with an estimated population of 285,097 people, has 65 health facilities, including one regional referral hospital, two general hospitals, four Health Centre IVs, 12 Health Centre IIIs and 46 Health Centre IIs.
The report shows that during the quarter, the district conducted 17,462 HIV tests and identified 173 new HIV-positive cases, representing a positivity rate of one percent. The district currently has 19,021 people enrolled in HIV care, with 9,921 active clients receiving treatment during the quarter.
Health facilities carried out 8,904 viral load tests, with 8,749 clients achieving viral suppression, resulting in a 98 percent suppression rate. The district also enrolled 12 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers on antiretroviral therapy to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Despite the positive performance, stakeholders noted that poverty, transactional and cross-generational sex, alcohol and substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections, stigma and discrimination continue to drive new HIV infections.
The meeting also highlighted ongoing interventions, including HIV testing and counselling, psychosocial support, condom promotion, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), safe medical circumcision, peer-led outreach programmes and community sensitisation.
Participants expressed concern over inadequate funding for HIV prevention activities, shortages of condoms and some antiretroviral medicines, limited HIV education materials and weak community structures for risk communication.
To strengthen the district’s response, stakeholders resolved that all district departments should report quarterly on HIV prevention activities, while the district will consolidate HIV prevention budgets, establish a district HIV coordination committee and enhance the involvement of political leaders and vulnerable groups in prevention programmes.
The Chief Administrative Officer, Robert Mugabe called on participants to turn the agreed resolutions into concrete action, stressing that transparency, accountability and partnership will be key to achieving the district’s HIV targets.
The Resident District Commissioner, Rtd Major Godfrey Katamba asked stakeholders to implement the agreed action points with urgency and maintain the collaborative spirit needed to build a healthier, HIV-free Kabale District.
