Kampala — Uganda has received its first consignment of a groundbreaking twice-yearly HIV prevention injection, marking a major step forward in the country’s fight against new infections.
The Ministry of Health Uganda confirmed that 19,200 doses of Lenacapavir have arrived in the country with support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Distribution is scheduled to begin in March 2026, targeting districts with high HIV burden and incidence rates.
Lenacapavir, developed by Gilead Sciences and marketed as Yeztugo, is administered once every six months to individuals at substantial risk of acquiring HIV. The drug received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2025 following clinical trials that demonstrated remarkable efficacy.
In one major study involving women, no HIV infections were recorded among participants who received the injection. Other trials showed up to 96 percent effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission.
Global health experts have described the injectable as a game-changer, particularly for populations that face challenges adhering to daily oral preventive medication.
Through global access partnerships and financing mechanisms, the annual cost of the drug in low-income countries such as Uganda and Nigeria has been reduced to approximately $40 per patient per year, making it more accessible to those most at risk.
Health authorities emphasise that the injectable has undergone rigorous scientific testing and is backed by guidance from the World Health Organisation. While some misinformation has circulated online, experts stress that the medication’s safety and efficacy are supported by extensive clinical research and regulatory review.
Uganda continues to pursue ambitious HIV prevention targets as part of its national strategy to end AIDS as a public health threat.