Country Review: Uganda

Abstract Uganda was one of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to document HIV/AIDS cases. With high-level political support, the country mounted a robust HIV response, becoming a model for Africa. The HIV prevalence stands at 6.2%, translating into 1.2 million persons living with HIV (PLHIV). The incidence of HIV has declined by almost 50% over the past nine years. Almost 1 million PLHIV in Uganda are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The national ART guidelines are regularly updated and the current consolidated guidelines mirror the World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended “treat-all” approach. ART coverage has been enabled by the significant increase in the financial resources and the availability of single-pill, once-daily standardized regimens. Specifically, Uganda is one of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) focus countries and substantial financial resources have been made available annually to Uganda through this mechanism to support HIV prevention, care, and treatment efforts in the country. Additionally, these resources have been channeled through nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), including the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) at Makerere University and The AIDS Support Organization (TASO), which have worked alongside the government to increase ART coverage through district-based HIV programing. Suboptimal retention in care and viral suppression among children and adolescents on ART, as well as optimized engagement of PLHIV to maintain good health, remain key challenges.