Kitgum General Hospital has officially started offering long-acting HIV prevention injections-Lenacapavir, known as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), to members of the public as part of efforts to reduce new HIV infections in the district.
Since 2022, the hospital has been conducting research on a long-acting HIV prevention drug administered as an injection once every two months.
Speaking to URN in an interview, the senior hospital administrator, Thomas Ojok, explained that during the research phase, more than 150 people were enrolled in the program, and none of the participants acquired HIV, demonstrating the effectiveness of the injectable prevention method.
Following these positive results, the Government of Uganda approved the hospital to offer the injectable HIV prevention service to the public.
Ojok said the introduction of injectable PrEP is a major step in strengthening HIV prevention in the district, and helping at-risk groups, such as commercial sex workers, to better protect themselves from HIV.
He emphasized that clients must first undergo HIV testing and counselling before receiving the injection to confirm their HIV-negative status.
Currently, 14 people are enrolled in the public program at Kitgum General Hospital. Ojok encouraged members of the public who believe they are at high risk to visit the hospital for screening and counseling.
However, they cautioned that injectable PrEP should not be abused or used to justify risky behavior, stressing that it is intended strictly for individuals at substantial risk as part of a broader HIV prevention strategy.
Residents of Kitgum have welcomed the introduction of long-acting injectable HIV prevention medication, saying it will greatly improve efforts to prevent new HIV infections in the area.
Kelvin Odoch, a bodaboda rider in Guu B, said the new option appears more convenient than daily oral PrEP, especially for people who find it difficult to take medication every day.
“Taking medication daily is tiring and many even forget, this will be a relief for many,” Odoch said.
Jacky Aceng, a resident of Apollo Grounds in Kitgum municipality, welcome the development, saying the availability of injectable PrEP at the hospital will improve access to HIV prevention services, especially for people in hard-to-reach areas who find it difficult to adhere to daily oral PrEP.
Aceng, however, called for increased community sensitization to ensure that more residents understand how injectable PrEP works and who qualifies for it.
“This is a new innovation and the lay persons need to be continuously sensitized on its efficacy and availability, because the population always have many questions on new medicines,” Aceng said.
As of late 2025, Uganda’s HIV prevalence was around 5.1-5.5% (adults 15-49 years), with significant declines in deaths and new infections, though new infections remain high among young women, according to Uganda Aids Commission and Ministry of Health reports.
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