Uganda’s HIV prevalence has remained at 5.9 percent, unchanged from the 2020 estimate, according to the preliminary 2025 Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) report.
The report was released by the Minister of Health, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, at the Uganda Media Centre following a survey conducted between July and September 2025.
The assessment covered 14,678 eligible adults aged 15 years and above, comprising 8,317 women and 6,361 men.
Baryomunsi attributed the stable HIV prevalence to several interventions, including the expansion of HIV testing and treatment, the introduction of more effective medicines, changes in service delivery models and stronger partnerships in the fight against HIV.
Despite the overall prevalence remaining unchanged, the report shows a significant difference between women and men. HIV prevalence among women stands at 7.3 percent, compared with 4.1 percent among men.
Baryomunsi attributed the higher prevalence among women to several factors, including the effects of urbanisation and biological factors that increase women’s vulnerability to HIV infection.
Regional variations were also reported. The South Western region recorded the highest HIV prevalence at 8 percent, while Karamoja registered the lowest at 1.3 percent.
The report also showed differences in viral load suppression (VLS) by age and sex. Among women aged 15 to 24, viral load suppression stood at 64.1 percent, compared with 93.8 percent among women aged 55 to 64.
Among men, VLS was 71.2 percent for those aged 25 to 34, rising to 98.8 percent among those aged 35 to 44.
On Uganda’s progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030, Baryomunsi said 85.3 percent of people living with HIV are aware of their status.
He said 99.1 percent of those who know their HIV status are on antiretroviral treatment, while 96 percent of those on treatment take their medication as directed.
The minister said the figures show that more effort is needed, particularly in ensuring that people living with HIV know their status.
He urged Ugandans to regularly test for HIV and, where necessary, start and adhere to treatment to help the country achieve its goal of ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030.
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