In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on March 17, Mrs. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, urged Uganda’s Health Minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, and Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, to address reports of wealthy individuals bribing health workers to stockpile free HIV medications.
Byanyima warned that failure to act swiftly could lead to critical shortages, leaving poor and vulnerable populations at risk of dying from the virus.
For over two decades, the U.S. government has been a leading supporter of the global HIV response. However, recent funding disruptions to programs like PEPFAR under the Trump administration have had severe consequences, particularly in African nations. These cuts threaten to undermine decades of progress in combating HIV/AIDS.
In a statement released on Thursday, Dr. Charles Olaro, Acting Director General of Health Services, reassured Ugandans that HIV prevention and treatment services remain free and accessible nationwide.
The Ministry emphasized its commitment to maintaining a steady supply of high-quality antiretroviral therapy (ART) and collaborating with civil society organizations (CSOs), people living with HIV, and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted access to care.
“The Health Ministry remains committed to working with CSOs, people living with HIV, and all stakeholders to ensure continuous access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services. We also encourage CSOs to support treatment literacy campaigns to promote adherence and improve health outcomes for all people living with HIV,” the statement read.
Uganda currently has approximately 1.49 million people living with HIV, of whom 92% know their status, and over 90% are on life-saving ART. However, global disruptions in HIV prevention and treatment services have led to clinic closures, halted prevention efforts, and weakened community systems, threatening to reverse hard-won progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The Ministry clarified that antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) remain available and free at all public and private not-for-profit health facilities. Drug procurement has not been affected by the U.S. government’s executive order, and the Ministry is transitioning to a patient-centered model. This includes integrating HIV/AIDS, TB, Hepatitis B, hypertension, and diabetes into routine outpatient and chronic care services across all healthcare levels.
The Ministry also called on media outlets to uphold ethical reporting standards by verifying facts before publication. Misinformation on critical health issues like HIV/AIDS, they warned, could create unnecessary panic and hinder national response efforts.
“We urge responsible journalism that aligns with our shared goal of protecting public health,” the statement emphasized.
According to UNAIDS health experts, if PEPFAR funding is not fully restored and additional resources are not secured for the HIV response, an estimated 6.3 million additional HIV-related deaths and 8.7 million new infections could occur over the next four years. The Ministry’s reassurances aim to mitigate fears and ensure continued progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
