Uganda Pilots Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Shot in 3 Districts

A new HIV prevention method that requires just two shots per year instead of daily pills is launching in Uganda, offering fresh hope in the fight against new infections.

Kazo District has been selected as one of three pilot locations in the Ankole region to receive Lenacapavir, a long-acting injection that prevents HIV transmission. Health workers are completing a three-day training program at Kazo Health Centre IV to learn how to administer the groundbreaking treatment.

The injection represents a major shift from current prevention methods. Daily oral PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) has been available for years and can reduce HIV transmission risk by up to 99 percent when taken correctly. But many people struggle with taking a pill every single day, leading to gaps in protection.

Dr. Edgar Kansiime, Kazo's District Health Officer, called the development a game changer. "The introduction of a twice-yearly injection will greatly address the challenges of adherence and pill fatigue that we have been facing with daily PrEP," he explained.

The pilot program will eventually expand to 120 health facilities across Uganda. Only Kazo, Ibanda, and Mbarara districts were chosen for the initial phase in the Ankole sub-region.

PrEP is designed for HIV-negative people at higher risk of infection, including adolescent girls, young women, and key populations. Unlike post-exposure prophylaxis (which is taken after potential exposure), PrEP works proactively to prevent infection before exposure happens.

The Ripple Effect

Community leaders are rallying behind the initiative with enthusiasm. Rev. Samuel Mugisha Katugunda, Kazo's LC5 Chairman, urged residents to embrace the new prevention tool while continuing other protective measures, noting that collective effort is essential to ending HIV in their communities.

Chief Administrative Officer Hajji Badru Mayanja Majwala emphasized that health workers must ensure the opportunity translates into real impact. The success of this pilot could influence HIV prevention strategies across East Africa and beyond.

Health officials hope the long-acting injection will dramatically improve adherence rates and reduce new infections nationwide. For people who want protection but struggle with daily medication routines, twice-yearly shots could be the solution they've been waiting for.