Uganda is preparing to roll out Lenacapavir, a revolutionary HIV prevention injection that provides protection for six months and has demonstrated 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV infection among HIV-negative individuals.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) announced that Ugandan scientists were part of the global research team behind this breakthrough. The development comes shortly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lenacapavir for global use.
“The Uganda AIDS Commission informs the public that research on Lenacapavir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has confirmed that this six-month injection offers complete protection to HIV-negative individuals,” the Commission said.
The announcement is timely, as Uganda continues to battle a significant HIV epidemic. The country currently has an estimated 1.4 million people living with HIV, an adult prevalence rate of 5.5%, and over 38,000 new infections reported annually.
Uganda has already made strides in expanding access to HIV prevention tools, including oral PrEP and the injectable Cabotegravir, which is administered every two months. Over 75,000 people are currently enrolled on PrEP across the country.
According to UAC, the Ministry of Health is working closely with stakeholders such as the National Drug Authority to ensure Lenacapavir meets all regulatory requirements before it is introduced into the country’s HIV prevention program.
“Once these steps are completed, Lenacapavir will be incorporated into Uganda’s national HIV prevention efforts, offering a longer-acting option for individuals at high risk of infection,” the Commission noted.
In the meantime, oral PrEP and Cabotegravir will remain available at designated health facilities as Uganda continues its efforts to increase access and availability of HIV prevention services.
“Uganda remains firmly committed to delivering innovative and effective solutions to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” the UAC reaffirmed.
