Rubirizi,Uganda – More than 5,145 people are living with HIV in Rubirizi District out of a population of 172,982, according to the district health team. Officials cited alcohol and substance abuse, stigma, and untreated sexually transmitted infections as key drivers of rising cases, with 132 new HIV infections recorded in just three months.
District Health Officer Dr. Aidah Nankynga urged residents to prioritize health by regularly visiting health facilities to know their HIV status and start treatment early. She raised concern over persistent new infections, especially among youth and women.
“Residents must keep going to health facilities to check their health status so they know early and start medication,” Dr. Nankynga said.
She emphasized the need for open conversations on sexual health and called on parents to take a more active role in HIV awareness among the youth.
Dr. Primu Nuwamanya, the in-charge at Rugazi Health Centre IV, said Rubirizi currently has 5,145 people living with HIV. Of these, 3,224 are female, 1,789 are male, 64 are aged 0–9, 195 are aged 10–19, 730 are aged 20–29, 1,595 are aged 30–39, and 2,429 are aged 40 and above. The district also has 188 pregnant mothers living with HIV.
Katunguru Sub-county, Kicwamba Sub-county, and Rubirizi Town Council registered the highest positivity rates. Rugazi Health Centre IV alone is handling 2,118 HIV patients on care and treatment, representing about 41 percent of all HIV cases in the district.
Dr. Nuwamanya urged residents to embrace regular testing, adhere to ARVs, and seek parental guidance to prevent new infections, especially among youth and women. He linked the trend to poverty and risky behaviors such as transactional and cross-generational sex, as well as the influence of high-risk groups.
He called on stakeholders to prioritize economic empowerment initiatives for at-risk women and youth to reduce dependence on risky survival strategies driven by poverty, ignorance, hunger, and domestic violence.
Story By: Tugume Muzafaru
