KAMPALA, April 17, 2026 — Uganda has commenced the rollout of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug administered every six months to prevent HIV infection among people at substantial risk.
The rollout, which began in Lira, follows the arrival of the country’s first consignment of 19,200 doses supplied through the Global Fund, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s HIV prevention efforts.
According to Dr Flavia Matovu, Principal Investigator for Lenacapavir in Mityana district, the initial supply will cover 100 health facilities, with plans to expand to 200 facilities in subsequent phases.
“We have enough Lenacapavir for 100 facilities and later 200 health facilities. We are prioritising people at high risk of HIV infection, including adolescent girls and young women,” Matovu said.
She added that other priority groups include mobile populations such as truck drivers, pregnant and lactating mothers, and individuals in serodiscordant relationships, noting that eligibility will also depend on individual risk assessment.
“Adolescent girls and young women are growing up, excited, and often face multiple temptations, while some partners have the financial means that increase vulnerability,” she said.
In January, Uganda’s National Drug Authority approved Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention [PrEP] injection manufactured by Gilead Sciences, describing it as a breakthrough in HIV prevention, particularly for high-risk populations.
The approval aligns with global efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and comes shortly after the United States Food and Drug Administration cleared long-acting injectable Lenacapavir for prevention use.
Unlike daily oral PrEP, Lenacapavir is administered twice a year, improving convenience and adherence among users.
Gilead Sciences has set the US list price at US$ 28,218 [about Shs101.5 million] per person per year. However, a recent study published in The Lancet HIV suggests the drug could be produced generically for between US$ 35 and US$ 46 per person annually, potentially dropping to about US$ 25 with large-scale uptake.
The study notes that wider generic production could significantly reduce costs and improve global access, especially in low-income countries.
Gilead is also in the process of licensing agreements with six generic manufacturers expected to produce alternative versions by 2027, a move likely to further reduce costs to around $40 per year.
In Uganda, the drug is currently available in selected districts, including Mukono, Fort Portal, Masaka, Kampala, Mubende, Kasanda, Mityana and Lira, with expansion planned in the coming months.
Health authorities say the rollout represents a major step forward in strengthening HIV prevention options in the country, particularly for populations most at risk.
https://thecooperator.news/govt-approves-use-of-hiv-injectables-in-uganda/
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