Kampala reports average of 211 new HIV infections weekly

A study by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) reveals that Kampala recorded an average of 211 new HIV infections per week over the 12-month period ending in June 2026. This rate equates to approximately 30 new infections daily, or over 11,000 annually.

Data indicates that women account for 62 percent of new positive cases, while men represent 38 percent. Although the 20-to-24 age group comprised the largest number of people tested, the highest concentration of new positive cases was found among individuals aged 30 to 39. Women also made up 64 percent of all those tested.

Health experts suggest several drivers for the continued transmission despite increased access to testing and treatments like lenacapavir. Suspected factors include unregulated sexual activity in massage parlors, spas, and lodges, domestic violence, structural inequalities, and social media influence. The urban nature of Kampala, characterized by a highly mobile population and extensive social interaction, further complicates prevention efforts.