Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1141 EAT on Thursday 26 February 2026

Uganda has taken delivery of its first consignment of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection given twice yearly, in a move officials say could significantly reduce new infections.

The country received an initial 19,200 doses this week after the drug was cleared for use by the National Drug Authority in January. The shipment was donated by the Global Fund.

Lenacapavir showed strong effectiveness as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in clinical trials involving adolescent girls and young women in Uganda and South Africa.

Following the encouraging trial results, Uganda was selected to receive a $1.1 million donation from the Global Fund, positioning the country among the first to benefit

from the initial rollout of donated doses.
The Ministry of Health said distribution is expected to begin in March, focusing on districts with the highest HIV burden and incidence rates. However, as rollout preparations accelerate, activists have voiced concerns about whether supply will be sufficient and sustainably maintained.

In earlier interviews with Uganda Radio Network (URN), Kuraish Mubiru, executive director of Uganda Young Positives, cautioned that the Global Fund donation would reach only about 10,000 people — far below national demand — noting that Uganda continues to record an estimated 1,000 new HIV infections each week.

Flavia Kyomukama, executive director of the National Forum of People Living with HIV/AIDS Networks in Uganda (NAFOPHANU), welcomed the development but stressed that Uganda must mobilise domestic funding to sustain access, even as the United States government has pledged an additional 200,000 doses.

She said Lenacapavir is specifically intended for people at highest risk of HIV infection, including sex workers, boda boda riders, long-distance truck drivers and individuals in HIV-discordant relationships.

Kyomukama also called for clear and consistent public messaging ahead of the rollout to prevent misuse and manage expectations about eligibility.

Uganda has previously rolled out Cabotegravir, another long-acting injectable PrEP option that requires two starter injections four weeks apart, followed by doses every two months.

Lenacapavir, by contrast, is administered just twice a year, offering a more convenient alternative for individuals who struggle with daily oral PrEP or frequent clinic visits.

Under the phased rollout, the Global Fund is expected to deliver a total of 36,000 doses to nine health facilities in the first quarter of 2026.

Source: Observer

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