The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), through its Health Services, has rolled out lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) drug for HIV prevention which is administered once every six months.
Speaking during the rollout at the HIV Centre at the General Military Hospital (GMH) Bombo, the Joint Staff for Health Services, Major General Dr Ambrose Musinguzi, described the introduction of lenacapavir as timely and strategic in advancing the UPDF’s comprehensive HIV prevention agenda.
“The introduction of this new technology is an added weapon in our arsenal. It comes at the right time and strengthens the gains we have already made in the fight against HIV,” he said.
He said the UPDF has, over the years, implemented a combination prevention strategy that integrates testing, treatment, behavioural interventions, and biomedical approaches, yielding measurable success in reducing infections.
Maj Gen Musinguzi emphasised that while significant progress has been made, the evolving nature of HIV prevention requires continuous innovation, capacity building, and sustained community engagement.
He cautioned that new health technologies often come with misconceptions, urging health workers to prioritise accurate information dissemination to counter myths and ensure proper uptake.
“This drug will be a game changer, but like all new interventions, it requires clear communication, proper guidance, and strong systems to support its implementation,” he added.
The Director HIV/AIDS in the UPDF, Lt Col Evelyn Asiimwe, said the rollout aligns with Uganda’s national goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
“Today, we are excited to roll out this long-acting HIV prevention injection within the UPDF. While oral PrEP has been available, uptake has not been optimal, and this new option provides a more convenient and effective alternative,” she said.
She observed that despite notable progress, new HIV infections remain unacceptably high, necessitating targeted and innovative prevention approaches.
Lt Col Asiimwe revealed that the UPDF has already received an initial batch of doses, with GMH Bombo and another military facility accredited as rollout sites, supported by satellite centres to expand access.
She added that more than 50 health workers have been trained to administer the injection, with systems in place to integrate the service into various care points, including outpatient and maternal health clinics.
Dr Denis Bwayo, Programme Director of the University Research Company (URC)-UPDF HIV Programme, underscored the importance of careful implementation, particularly in defining eligibility criteria tailored to the military’s unique operational context.
He emphasised the importance of effective supply chain management, noting that the injection is administered every six months and requires consistent availability for follow-up doses.
“We must ensure that once clients are enrolled, the system can track them and provide subsequent doses without interruption,” he said.
Dr Bwayo emphasised the need for continuous HIV testing among beneficiaries and strong demand creation through targeted communication strategies.
He commended the UPDF HIV programme for its performance, revealing that more than 22,000 clients are currently on treatment across 31 ART clinics, with viral suppression rates consistently above 95 per cent.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Dr Miamuna Kinalwa from the AIDS Control Programme, described the rollout as a demonstration of Uganda’s commitment to innovation in HIV prevention.
“This marks a significant step in expanding prevention choices. However, we must remain vigilant in monitoring outcomes, strengthening health worker capacity, and ensuring proper use of this intervention,” she said.
She reaffirmed government support to the UPDF in scaling up the intervention and integrating it into existing health systems.
Dr Mary Kiba from the Department of HIV at GMH Bombo provided a technical overview of the drug, describing lenacapavir as a first-in-class capsid inhibitor that prevents HIV from replicating in the body.
She explained that the drug is administered as a subcutaneous injection and offers protection for up to six months, making it a convenient alternative to daily oral prevention methods.
“This is a long-awaited innovation. With just one injection, an individual is protected for six months, addressing adherence challenges associated with daily medication,” she said.
Dr Kiba added that the drug is particularly suitable for individuals who struggle with daily pill regimens or face stigma associated with oral HIV prevention.
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