Health 27 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Alarming HIV Surge Among Uganda's Sex Workers Hits 54% in Mbarara
HIV prevalence among sex workers in Uganda has reached critical levels, topping 54 percent in Mbarara and exceeding 40 percent in several other regions, posing a major threat to national efforts to curb the epidemic. Experts call for targeted interventions to address behavioral risks, stigma, and limited healthcare access for these vulnerable groups. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/sex-workers-hiv-rates-soar-to-alarming-levels-5405546
Uganda faces a severe HIV crisis among sex workers, with prevalence rates soaring to dangerous highs across multiple regions. Mbarara reports the highest at 54 percent, followed by Masaka City at 45 percent, Fort Portal at 44 percent, and Lira at 42 percent. Other areas like Jinja, Gulu, Arua, Kampala, Tororo, Busia, and Mbale also show rates between 26 and 32 percent.
Key populations including sex workers, fisherfolk, truck drivers, prisoners, uniformed personnel, drug users, and men who have sex with men drive much of the transmission. Factors such as multiple partners, low condom use, transactional sex, substance abuse, and HIV status non-disclosure fuel the spread, compounded by stigma and poor healthcare access.
A recent Makerere University survey of nearly 8,000 sex workers revealed that 29 percent are married or cohabiting, with most averaging four clients daily. About one in three lives with HIV, and inconsistent condom use remains a major concern, especially among married workers facing economic pressures.
Nationally, HIV affects 1.53 million people, with a 4.9 percent prevalence—higher among women at 6.4 percent. Annual new infections total 37,000, and 20,000 Aids-related deaths occur yearly. Despite progress, including over 1.3 million on treatment and a drop from 18 percent prevalence in the 1980s, key groups lag behind.
Health leaders like Joseph Byamugambe and Charles Otai from the Uganda Aids Commission urge scaling up prevention, condoms, testing, male circumcision, and anti-stigma efforts. Initiatives like PrEP, long-acting injectables, and community programs in regions such as Teso show promise, alongside government commitments of Shs50 billion annually and budget mainstreaming.
Original reporting from Daily Monitor (Uganda).