AIDS Commission Turns to Private Sector to Streamline HIV Response

Rosemary Ssenabulya, Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS Coordination Committee for the private sector, emphasized the urgency of these efforts, particularly given the government’s goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
The Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) has launched a new strategy to strengthen its HIV/AIDS response by engaging the private sector.
In a meeting with leaders from the HIV and AIDS Coordination Committee of the private sector, held today at the Imperial Royal Hotel in Kampala, UAC officials underscored the vital role businesses play in reaching communities across Uganda.
Tom Etii, the Acting Director of Partnerships at UAC, outlined the commission’s approach, highlighting the importance of integrating HIV prevention efforts into private sector activities.
“The private sector interacts with both formal and informal communities, providing an excellent channel to disseminate HIV prevention messages effectively,” Etii explained.
The commission plans to equip private sector leaders with the tools and knowledge to educate their employees and customers on HIV prevention, with initiatives such as distributing condoms at workplaces and social venues to promote safer practices.
Despite the significant progress Uganda has made in combating HIV/AIDS, challenges persist.
The National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan (NSP) 2020/21–2024/25 focuses on four key areas: HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment, Social Support and Protection, and Systems Strengthening.
Rosemary Ssenabulya, Chairperson of the HIV/AIDS Coordination Committee for the private sector, emphasized the urgency of these efforts, particularly given the government’s goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
“New infections continue to emerge, and stigma remains a major barrier to effective intervention,” Ssenabulya said, stressing the need for intensified sensitization across the country.
Stigma continues to discourage those affected by HIV from seeking treatment, which in turn contributes to ongoing new infections.
However, Uganda has made significant strides in reducing the epidemic's impact.
Data from the UAC shows that new HIV infections decreased by 40% between 2010 and 2022, while AIDS-related deaths dropped by 64%.
The prevalence rate among individuals aged 15 to 49 also fell from 6.0% in 2010 to 5.5% in 2020, according to the Uganda Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA).
As of 2022, an estimated 1.43 million adults in Uganda were living with HIV.
The UAC attributes these advances to a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach, involving key stakeholders working together on strategic plans to reduce the virus's impact.
“Our main goal is to ensure that HIV prevention messages reach every corner of society,” Etii affirmed.
By increasing private sector involvement, the UAC aims to build on its successes and address gaps that remain.
Businesses are being encouraged to actively incorporate health awareness into their operations and to create stigma-free environments for employees and the public.
With the target to end AIDS by 2030 fast approaching, Uganda’s push to integrate HIV/AIDS prevention and care into the private sector could be a pivotal factor in achieving this ambitious goal.