Uganda Lands First Batch of Lenacapavir HIV Prevention Injectable

Uganda takes a major leap in HIV prevention with the arrival of 19,200 doses of Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable drug backed by the Global Fund. Set for distribution to high-risk areas starting March 2026, the highly effective PrEP option targets vulnerable groups to help curb the epidemic affecting over 1.5 million Ugandans.

In a pivotal boost to Uganda’s ongoing fight against HIV, the country has welcomed its inaugural shipment of 19,200 doses of Lenacapavir—a revolutionary long-acting injectable designed to prevent HIV infection with just two doses per year.

The consignment, funded through the Global Fund, touched down on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, marking the start of expanded access to this game-changing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) tool.

Health officials from the Ministry of Health announced the milestone via X, confirming that rollout will commence in March 2026, prioritizing high-burden and high-incidence districts where new infections remain a pressing challenge.

Lenacapavir, produced by Gilead Sciences in the United States, boasts clinical trial results showing over 99% effectiveness in shielding high-risk individuals from acquiring HIV.

It stands out as a convenient alternative to daily oral PrEP, which can be tough for consistent use—especially among young women, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, and key populations hit hardest by the virus.

Uganda ranks among the select high-burden nations chosen for early access to Lenacapavir, thanks to collaborative support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the Global Fund. This forms part of a wider U.S.-led push to scale up prevention in heavily affected countries, with ambitions to reach up to two million people across priority regions by 2028.

As of late 2024 data from the Uganda AIDS Commission, around 1.5 million people live with HIV in the country, alongside roughly 730 fresh infections each week. While oral PrEP continues to play a vital role, experts highlight that the injectable’s infrequent dosing could dramatically improve adherence and outcomes for those most vulnerable.

The drug is strictly preventive—not a treatment or cure—and is intended for HIV-negative people facing substantial exposure risk. Once fully authorized and distributed, it will be offered through public HIV prevention programs, with options for private clinics to stock it for those who can pay out-of-pocket.