Women account for 3 in 4 new HIV infections in Uganda

What the report says

The Uganda AIDS Commission says young women continue to bear a disproportionate share of new HIV infections in Uganda, with three in four new infections among young people affecting women. According to figures presented at a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Tuesday, the country recorded 34,000 new HIV infections in 2025, and people aged 15 to 24 accounted for 38% of those cases.

The Commission also said about 1.5 million Ugandans aged 15 and above are living with HIV, rising to roughly 1.57 million when children are included. While the epidemic remains serious, UAC said the country has made substantial progress since 2010, including steep declines in new infections, AIDS-related deaths and mother-to-child transmission. It also reported strong treatment indicators among adults, with most people who know their status receiving therapy and many achieving viral suppression.

Despite that progress, the agency warned that HIV remains concentrated among women, young people, urban residents and some key groups such as sex workers, fisherfolk and truck drivers. It pointed to multiple sexual partnerships, low condom use during high-risk sex and sexual violence as factors affecting prevention efforts. The Commission also highlighted regional differences, with higher prevalence in places such as Fort Portal City and lower rates in Karamoja.

The findings come as Uganda prepares for the 2026 National HIV and AIDS Symposium, which UAC board chairperson Canon Dr Ruth Senyonyi launched during the briefing. The meeting, scheduled for November 16 to 18 at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, is expected to focus on persistent gaps in prevention, child treatment, sustainable financing and the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.