A twice-yearly HIV jab offers hope in Uganda, if the doses come
Lenacapavir nearly eliminated new infections in trials. Mbarara wants more of it.
Mbarara — Lenacapavir, an HIV prevention injection given twice a year, nearly eliminated new infections in two studies of high-risk people, doing better than daily pills. In Mbarara, western Uganda, health workers say it is the option they want most. For now, supply is short.
The situation
- Mbarara's HIV rate is about 10%, double the national average. Uganda has about 1.5 million people living with HIV.
- Only a few thousand doses are available nationally; remote districts such as Lira received rationed supplies.
- Many patients are offered cabotegravir, a jab every two months, instead.
Clinician Dorcus Twinabaitu, Mbarara's HIV/AIDS focal person, said lenacapavir is the preferred choice unless something better comes along.
Supply is growing
Gilead, the maker, says it will supply the drug at no profit through the Global Fund and PEPFAR until generic makers scale up, with generic supply expected from late 2026 and wide availability in 2027. By mid-September, 430,000 doses had been delivered and more than 118,000 people were receiving it. The goal is up to 3 million people by the end of 2028.
Source: Africanews / AP, 24 October 2026.
