Rukungiri Records Highest HIV Prevalence in Kigezi at 8.1 Percent
Rukungiri; Authorities from the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) say about 1,550,000 people are living with HIV in Uganda, according to data contained in a 2024 report. Of these, 980,000 are female, 569,000 are male and 71,000 are children.
UAC Principal Statistician Brian Masimbi disclosed the figures during a capacity-building and dissemination workshop on HIV prevention communication for media practitioners and district communication officers in the Kigezi region held at Riverside Hotel in Rukungiri Municipality on September 23.
Masimbi said the report also indicates that about 19,000 people died from AIDS-related causes, including 8,000 females, 8,000 males and 2,900 children. This is equivalent to about 54 deaths every day or 384 every week.
Masimbi attributed the increase in HIV infections in the region to low condom use, multiple sexual partnerships, low rates of male circumcision, alcohol and drug abuse, and complacency among some people due to the availability of antiretroviral therapy.
He called for increased HIV prevention efforts, including condom use, HIV testing, male circumcision, and responsible sexual behaviour.
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In the Kigezi region, Rukungiri has the highest reported HIV prevalence at 8.1 percent, followed by Kanungu at six percent and Kabale at five percent. Rukiga stands at 4.3 percent, Rubanda at 2.6 percent and Kisoro at two percent.
Masimbi attributed continued HIV transmission to a range of behavioural and social factors, including multiple sexual partnerships, HIV-status discordance and non-disclosure, transactional sex, low condom use, alcohol and drug abuse, and complacency associated with access to antiretroviral therapy.
He also cited poverty, wealth disparities and gender inequality as factors contributing to the continued spread of HIV.
Alex Byakatonda, the Kabale District Communications Officer, said the district had 18,848 people living with HIV in 2024, with 154 new cases recorded between October and December that year.
He said 9,859 people living with HIV in the district were receiving antiretroviral therapy, while 75 people died from HIV-related illnesses during the year.
Byakatonda added that Kabale recorded 653 new HIV cases during the 2025/2026 financial year, with Southern Division registering the highest number at 194 cases, followed by Central Division with 176.
He said 64 people died from HIV-related illnesses in the district between July 2025 and June 2026.
Rebecca Koshaba, the Rukungiri District Information Officer, said 17,833 people were living with HIV in the district based on data compiled during the 2025/2026 financial year.
Koshaba, however, reported that 20,209 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy, a figure that is higher than the number of people she reported as living with HIV in the district.
Maurice Kemigyisha, the Rukungiri Municipality Information Officer, said 10,148 people were currently living with HIV in the municipality.
Sulait Makka Turyamureeba, the Rukungiri Municipality Deputy Town Clerk, expressed concern over the reported 8.1 percent HIV prevalence in Rukungiri and called for interventions to reduce new infections and HIV-related deaths.
Dr Davis Ahabwe, the Principal Medical Officer for Rukungiri Municipality, attributed the relatively high figure partly to people from other parts of the region travelling to Rukungiri to test for HIV and access antiretroviral therapy while seeking to keep their HIV status confidential in their home areas.
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