Lira, Uganda | Lira City is emerging as a model in the Lango sub-region’s HIV response after adopting a targeted outreach strategy focusing on sex workers, the transport sector and workplaces.
City health authorities say the approach is designed to reach key populations most at risk through trust-building, peer engagement and workplace-based testing.
Dr Hilary Okello, the HIV Focal Point Person for Lira City, said the strategy centres on working closely with sex workers through peer networks, collaborating with boda boda riders and truck drivers, and partnering with construction companies and factories to directly access workers.
“Workplace outreach has helped us uncover hidden infections among workers who would otherwise not come to health facilities for testing,” Dr Okello said.
He cited a recent factory visit where 30 workers tested HIV positive during a single testing exercise.
Subsequent partner notification, he added, revealed that many of the infected individuals were linked within the same social and sexual networks, underscoring the need for targeted interventions in such settings.
Dr Okello said continuous engagement and behaviour change communication have yielded positive results, with some sex workers who previously participated in the programme reportedly leaving the trade and starting families.
Beyond key populations, the city has expanded HIV prevention messaging through religious institutions and radio talk shows to broaden community awareness and influence behaviour change.
The city’s approach was highlighted during a high-level engagement convened by the Uganda AIDS Commission at Lira Hotel.
District leaders from the 10 districts of the Lango sub-region resolved to intensify HIV prevention efforts across the region.
During the meeting, the Commission’s Head of Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr Peter Wakoba, outlined Uganda’s progress in the fight against HIV between 2010 and 2024.
He reported a 62 per cent reduction in new HIV infections and a 63 per cent decline in AIDS-related deaths — from 56,000 to 20,000 annually.
National HIV prevalence now stands at 4.9 per cent, down from 5.8 per cent over the same period.
However, Dr Wakoba cautioned that young people aged 15 to 24 account for 34 per cent of new infections.
Women remain disproportionately affected, while AIDS-related deaths are increasingly complicated by non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cervical cancer.
The engagement also reviewed the National Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, which aims to end HIV as a public health threat.
The plan focuses on reducing new infections, lowering AIDS-related deaths, promoting the test-and-treat strategy, preventing mother-to-child transmission and ensuring long-term sustainability of the national response.
Lira City Resident City Commissioner Egole Lawrence welcomed the coordinated approach and called for stronger community-level communication.
Although HIV prevalence in Lira City has reduced from 12 per cent to 9 per cent, he noted that the area’s status as a business and transport hub requires sustained prevention efforts.
Leaders from across the region reported progress in viral load suppression but raised concerns about rising adolescent infections, treatment interruptions, stigma, poor health-seeking behaviour and limited funding for communication initiatives.
Health officials emphasised the need to shift from basic health education to strategic health communication, including district-specific communication plans, expanded radio engagement, youth-friendly services and increased male involvement.
The Uganda AIDS Commission pledged continued coordination and technical support as districts strengthen partnerships and accelerate efforts towards achieving the 2030 HIV elimination target.
