By Uganda is preparing to roll out a new injectable drug for HIV prevention, marking a major shift from daily oral medication to long-acting treatment options.
The Ministry of Health has announced that the drug, known as Lenacapavir, will be introduced in early 2026 for people at high risk of HIV infection. Unlike a traditional vaccine, Lenacapavir is a long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) injection that offers six months of protection per dose.
Eligible individuals will receive the medication free of charge through selected health facilities that already provide oral PrEP services. The initiative is part of Uganda’s ongoing strategy to expand HIV prevention choices and reduce new infections.
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At the same time, the country is also piloting another injectable called Cabotegravir-LA (CAB-LA), designed for people living with HIV. The drug, administered every two months, replaces daily oral pills with a more discreet and stigma-free treatment option.
Health experts say the introduction of long-acting injectable drugs will significantly improve adherence and reduce the burden of daily pill intake, which has been a major challenge in HIV prevention and treatment.
Experts have, however, cautioned that these injections are not vaccines, stressing that research into a traditional HIV vaccine is still ongoing globally. The new injectables are instead advanced forms of PrEP (for HIV-negative individuals) and antiretroviral therapy (for those already infected).
Uganda remains among the countries with the highest HIV prevalence in East Africa, but recent data show progress in reducing new infections through wider testing, early treatment, and prevention programs.
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