Uganda is among several low and middle income countries poised to benefit from a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug, following a landmark deal between the Global Fund and Gilead Sciences to roll out Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable that only needs to be taken twice a year.
The deal marks a major step forward in closing the gap between access to medical innovation in wealthier nations and countries like Uganda, where the burden of HIV remains high particularly among adolescent girls, young women, and key populations.
Unlike daily pills such as PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), Lenacapavir offers biannual protection against HIV infection. Taken just once every six months, the drug could dramatically ease the challenges of adherence and access that continue to hinder Uganda’s HIV prevention efforts, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Clinical trials have shown Lenacapavir to be one of the most effective HIV prevention methods to date, offering robust protection with a single subcutaneous injection administered twice a year.
What makes this deal even more significant is the timing: for the first time, a high-end biomedical innovation is reaching low-income countries like Uganda alongside high-income nations a major shift from past delays that kept life-saving treatments out of reach for years.
The Global Fund’s agreement with Gilead will enable up to two million people across eligible countries to access Lenacapavir within the next three years. While the exact cost per dose remains undisclosed, Gilead has committed to supplying the drug at no profit in the short term.
In parallel, six generic pharmaceutical companies have already been licensed to produce affordable versions of the drug for over 120 countries, including Uganda. This means future sustainability is being built into the rollout from the start.
Although the rollout will begin in a limited number of African countries by the end of 2025, Uganda is expected to be part of the early phase of regional access, thanks to its long-standing partnerships with the Global Fund and a strong track record in HIV response.
The Ministry of Health, civil society, and health implementing partners are now being encouraged to prepare early by:
Raising public awareness about the new option
Training health workers on delivery and follow-up
Engaging youth and women-led groups to increase uptake
Strengthening supply chains to ensure availability
Uganda has made significant gains in reducing new HIV infections, but the epidemic still claims thousands of lives annually, and young women aged 15–24 remain disproportionately affected.
Lenacapavir offers a new, simplified prevention option that removes the burden of daily pills and frequent clinic visits. If implemented effectively, it could help Uganda accelerate toward its target of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
