Uganda AIDS Commission partners with Lango leaders to combat HIV/AIDS

2 January 2026, 22:01

By Winnie Auma

Uganda AIDS Commission, in partnership with the Lango Cultural Institution, has launched an intensified campaign against HIV/AIDS in the Lango Sub-region.

The partnership, according to the Head of Partnerships at Uganda AIDS Commission, Tom Etii, follows a recent report indicating that, as of 2024, 1,500,000 Ugandans were living with HIV/AIDS, of whom 930,000 were female and 570,000 male.

The report recorded 37,000 new infections, including 21,000 among females, 11,000 among males, and 4,700 among children. It also noted that 20,000 of the 1,500,000 infected individuals had died from the disease.

Etii stated that there are 711 new HIV infections each week, with 384 deaths recorded in the same period. He added that although more women are living with the virus, more men are dying, which he attributed to men being less likely to seek proper treatment.

Regarding regional prevalence rates, Etii said Southern Buganda has the highest at 7.5%, followed by Acholi at 7.0%, Ankole at 6.3%, Lango at 5.8%, and Karamoja with the lowest rate at 1.4%.

It is against this backdrop that Etii announced the Uganda AIDS Commission’s partnership with the Lango Cultural Institution, aimed at strengthening the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Lango Sub-region.

Dr Buchan Ocen, the District Health Officer (DHO) for Lira, has confirmed that HIV infection rates in the Lango Sub-region are steadily increasing. He attributes this rise to poor adherence to preventive measures.

According to Ocen, there were 84,000 infections in Lango in 2019, compared to over 100,000 cases currently, despite efforts by health experts to curb the spread of the disease.

He singled out Lira City as having the highest HIV prevalence in the region, standing at 9%, explaining that the city’s busy nightlife contributes to its leading position.

Hillary Okello, the HIV focal point for Lira City, explained that the disease is common among teenagers aged 15–19, as many engage in commercial sex to earn money for their survival. Okello added that some married women facing marital challenges have also resorted to commercial sex in the city to meet their needs.

He therefore urged clan leaders to join the fight by educating young people, particularly on preventive measures, and called on parents to provide essential items for their children and to closely monitor their activities.

Prof Willy Okullo, Prime Minister of the Lango Cultural Institution, said they recently formed a committee to support the fight against HIV by raising awareness of preventive measures and addressing stigma among those affected.

He pledged to work with the Uganda AIDS Commission to develop effective strategies for implementing these measures.