The Kampala Metropolitan Area (KMA), comprising Kampala City, Wakiso, and Mukono districts, has emerged as a hotspot for HIV transmission as a recent report reveals that the area recorded 8,400 new HIV infections last year. Health officials point to massage parlours and condom stock-outs as major contributors.
Wakiso District leads with 4,900 new infections, followed by Kampala with 2,800, and Mukono with 700 cases. Nabilatuk District recorded the lowest number of infections, with just nine cases. Other districts that recorded fewer than 50 new infections include Obongi, Kaabong, Nakapiripirit, Napak, Bukwo, Maracha, Kotido, Moroto, Moyo, and Amudat.
In Kampala, Chris Oundo, the HIV focal person at Kampala Capital City Authority, highlights the challenge of the city’s floating population and the proliferation of massage parlours where commercial sex secretly takes place.
He explains that in Kampala, there is a massage parlour at almost every turn, and these premises are creating a significant ground for HIV transmission.
Regarding the issue of condom stock-outs, Oundo says the demand for condoms in Kampala is very high, hence they always face a challenge of stock-outs.
Vastha Kibirige, the condom coordinator at the AIDS Control Programme, says they have been giving out free condoms over the years, but the usage is too low. She notes that Ugandans are less attracted to free condoms.
For Mukono District, Dr. Stephen Mulindwa, the District Health Officer, attributes the high infection rates to industrial parks and rural-to-urban migration, which fuel commercial sex work. He also mentions that there is low use of condoms.
Meanwhile, the report shows a decline in new infections among young people aged 15-24, from 20,000 in 2022 to 15,000 in 2023. However, young girls remain disproportionately affected, accounting for 80% of new cases.
Dr. Henry Mwebesa, Director General of Health Services, emphasizes the need to refine strategies for case finding, particularly among young people.
The report highlights the need for sustained efforts in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment to reduce infection rates and achieve the goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.
