Stigma, funding gaps undermining STI services for key populations in Uganda

27 May 2026, 12:04 pm

Byamukama Alozious

Key populations in Uganda, including sex workers and other vulnerable groups, continue to face stigma, limited access to diagnosis, and shrinking funding for sexually transmitted infection (STI) services, health experts have warned.

The concerns were raised during a breakfast meeting on strengthening STI response in Uganda organised by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation Uganda Cares in Kampala. The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of Health and civil society organisations, who called for urgent investment in stigma-free sexual health services.

Dr. Peter Mudiope from the Ministry of Health Uganda thanked AHF Uganda Cares for supporting advocacy efforts aimed at reducing HIV infections among key populations, saying partnerships remain important in strengthening Uganda’s STI and HIV response.

According to health experts at the meeting, sexually transmitted infections contribute to an estimated 2.3 million deaths globally every year, while more than one million new infections are recorded daily. Africa continues to carry one of the highest burdens of gonorrhoea and syphilis infections.

In Uganda, gonorrhoea prevalence is estimated at 8.4 percent, while infection rates among some key populations are reported to be as high as 50 percent.

Henry Magara, Country Director of AIDS Healthcare Foundation Uganda Cares, said persistent stigma continues to discourage many people from seeking testing and treatment services.

“Untreated STIs increase the risk of HIV transmission and acquisition. We cannot defeat HIV while ignoring STIs,” Magara said.

He called on government to invest more in STI diagnostic infrastructure, equip health facilities with testing tools, and strengthen data-sharing systems to improve prevention and treatment efforts.

Magara added that despite the growing burden, STIs remain under-prioritized, especially among key populations who already face barriers in accessing healthcare.

Dr. Peter Kyamadde, the key populations focal person at the Ministry of Health, said collaboration between government and development partners is necessary because the ministry cannot manage the response alone.

Meanwhile, Dr. Pande Gerald from the Ministry of Health STI Unit said Uganda’s STI programming suffered major setbacks following the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, which led several donors to withdraw support for key population interventions.

He explained that donor withdrawal affected coordination and advocacy programmes previously supported by partners such as United States Agency for International Development, leaving major gaps in service delivery.

Although the Ministry of Health has integrated some services to help cover the gaps, Dr. Gerald said stigma among health workers remains a challenge, with many key populations still struggling to access free and non-discriminatory healthcare services.

He also highlighted challenges in STI data collection, noting that Uganda still lacks fully digitalised systems to effectively capture and track data for key populations.

Dr. Augustine Lubanga, National Medical Director at AIDS Healthcare Foundation Uganda Cares, said AHF wellness clinics in Kitante and Lukaya continue to provide free and confidential services to vulnerable communities, especially sex workers.

Lubanga revealed that more than 14,000 people have accessed services through AHF-supported clinics.

Data presented during the meeting showed HIV and syphilis co-infection among clients stood at 17.8 percent, while chlamydia and gonorrhoea co-infection was recorded at 35.9 percent.

Programme statistics further showed that out of more than 220,000 people screened, over 4,100 were suspected to have STIs, while 2,771 were diagnosed and treated.

AHF Uganda Cares says its STI wellness clinics are helping bridge gaps in prevention, diagnosis and treatment by offering free, confidential and stigma-free services, including HIV testing, STI treatment, counselling and sexual health education.