By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE
The Uganda AIDS Commission has called on religious leaders in the Bugisu sub-region to intensify HIV messaging in their sermons and interactions with followers.
Canon Dr. Ruth Senyonyi, Chairperson of the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) Board, made the appeal during an engagement meeting with clergy on Thursday, 16th April, 2026 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Mbale City.She noted that Mbale’s HIV prevalence rate stands at 4.9%, which is equivalent to the national prevalence rate.
Dr. Senyonyi revealed that as part of efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, the Commission is now engaging all major institutions that reach large numbers of people, particularly faith-based organizations.
“We are here to meet religious leaders from about five districts in Bugisu. You know how important you are to this work. Some of you head over 13 parishes. We are excited to work with the faith sector because your congregations are big. You meet them during funerals, church services, prayer groups, and other occasions. You can do a lot for us,” she said.
She warned that new HIV infections in the country remain unacceptably high.
“We are looking at ending HIV as a public health threat.
We still record 38,000 new infections per year, 20,000 AIDS-related deaths annually, and 4,700 children were born with HIV last year. These statistics are still too high,” Senyonyi added.
The meeting brought together Archdeacons, Diocesan Secretariat members, and HIV focal persons from across Bugisu.
Key Drivers of High Prevalence
Aish Wanjiru, HIV Focal Person for Mbale City, attributed the high prevalence to increased commercial sex work involving both men and women, as well as rising drug injection use.
“At the moment, we are seeing a high number of male sex workers in Mbale City, stretching as far as Lwaso and Bukonde. There is also a sharp rise in people using injectable drugs,” she said.
She urged the clergy to prioritize behavior change messages in their preaching.
Robert Wandwasi, HIV Focal Person for Mbale District, explained that the city’s high figures are influenced by key populations who move between Mbale City and the surrounding district.
“The numbers cannot be attributed to the city alone because many people who work in Mbale City reside in the district and vice versa. For Mbale District, the positivity rate is 1.1%, while the prevalence stands at 3.3%,” he said.
He added that even members of key populations, including commercial sex workers, attend worship services, making the involvement of religious leaders critical.
Clergy Response
Reverend John Mungara from Bukonde Archdeaconry said the engagement had been enlightening and that they would now incorporate HIV/AIDS messages in their preaching.
“I am very excited that we have learnt a lot. As religious leaders, we must now encourage our Christians to go for HIV testing so that they know their status and help us end new infections,” Rev. Mungara said.
The Uganda AIDS Commission, established by an Act of Parliament and operating under the Office of the President, is mandated to coordinate and manage Uganda’s national response to HIV/AIDS.
