Uganda has joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Candlelight Memorial, with this year’s national celebrations held for the first time at the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) headquarters in Ntinda.
The event, held under the global theme “We Remember, We Take Action, We Live Beyond HIV” and the national theme “Ending AIDS by 2030: Building a Sustainable HIV Response”, brought together key stakeholders, government officials, development partners, and representatives of people living with HIV.
The gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and renew commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Presiding over the ceremony, Hon. Milly Babalanda, Minister for the Presidency, commended the UAC for its leadership and the country’s multi-sectoral approach, which has seen HIV prevalence fall from 18% in the 1990s to 5.1% in 2023.
She lauded President Yoweri Museveni’s early and sustained efforts, calling him a visionary leader in the AIDS response, particularly for his decisive action following Uganda’s first reported cases in Rakai District in the 1980s.
“This disease has caused untold suffering and remains costly to manage,” Hon. Babalanda said. “Despite challenges such as reduced donor funding, government remains committed to providing uninterrupted HIV services for the 1.4 million Ugandans living with the virus.”
Minister Babalanda emphasized the importance of reducing reliance on external aid and integrating HIV interventions across all sectors.
She highlighted key government initiatives including the Parish Development Model, livelihood programs, and Universal Primary and Secondary Education as vital in improving the welfare of vulnerable populations, especially people living with HIV.
UAC Director General Dr. Nelson Musoba showcased milestones achieved under the Presidential Fast Track Initiative launched by President Museveni.
“We’ve witnessed a 65% reduction in annual AIDS-related deaths, from 37,000 in 2016 to 19,000 in 2023,” he said. “New infections have also declined, from 52,000 in 2022 to 38,000 in 2023.”
Dr. Musoba praised youth for taking active roles in this year’s commemorations, including leading health conferences, boot camps, and awareness campaigns across the country.
He also noted increased collaboration with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), citing a growing trend in budgetary allocation currently at 0.1% towards HIV mainstreaming, a practice UAC hopes to extend to non-state actors.
UAC Board Chairperson Dr. Eddie Mukooyo stressed the importance of strong partnerships and updated policy frameworks in sustaining progress.
“We are currently reviewing critical documents, including the National HIV Strategic Plan, the National HIV Policy, and the National Research Agenda, to align our response with the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030,” he said.
He urged all Ugandans to reflect on their individual and collective roles in sustaining the national HIV response, calling for continued awareness, service delivery, and advocacy.
During the event, two individuals were honored for their outstanding contributions to Uganda’s HIV response. Attendees also observed a moment of silence in remembrance of those lost to AIDS.
First held in 1983, the International Candlelight Memorial is one of the world’s longest-running grassroots campaigns for HIV awareness. In Uganda, it remains a day to remember lives lost, support those living with HIV, and reaffirm the country’s commitment to ending AIDS.
