Mukono, Uganda – Kyungu Health Centre III, a vital public health facility in Mukono Central Division, is under immense strain as it grapples with a dramatic surge in HIV/AIDS cases. Health workers are currently diagnosing five new infections daily, raising alarms over the region's ability to meet Uganda’s 2030 target for eradicating HIV.
The health centre, which serves eight surrounding villages, is operating in a state of crisis. Key challenges include insufficient HIV testing kits, a critical shortage of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), and even basic protective gear like gloves. In some instances, health workers are reportedly forced to reuse gloves, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.
The surge in HIV cases has been attributed to a combination of low condom usage, stigma surrounding HIV status, and inadequate infrastructure. Some patients admit to “relying on luck” instead of using protection, while privacy concerns in the maternity section—where men and women are separated by only a thin curtain—further discourage proper healthcare-seeking behavior.
With no proper wards, many patients are forced to sleep on mats on the floor, and the facility has no ambulance to handle emergencies. Patients in critical condition are often ferried by boda-boda (motorcycle taxis) over 15 kilometers to Mukono General Hospital.
“We care, but we’re exhausted,” said Joyce Musoke, the Chairperson of Kyungu Health Centre III. “There’s simply not enough staff, medicine, or space to handle the daily influx.”
Mukono Woman MP Hanifah Nabukeera, who recently donated mattresses to the health centre, warned that unless urgent interventions are made, Uganda could miss its 2030 HIV eradication goal. Despite her concerns, municipal officials claim that funds for expanding the health facility have been budgeted—but the project remains delayed, with no clear timeline for completion.
For many residents, Kyungu HC III is the only affordable alternative to expensive care in Mukono town. However, with limited privacy, persistent stigma, and worsening conditions, some locals are avoiding the facility altogether—putting others at risk by silently living with and unknowingly spreading the virus.
“At this rate, Uganda will miss its 2030 HIV eradication target,” – MP Hanifah Nabukeera
Kyungu Health Centre’s struggles are emblematic of a broader crisis in Uganda’s rural healthcare system. Without swift action, the consequences could ripple far beyond Mukono. The burden of new infections will stretch ARV programs further, impact household incomes, and derail national progress toward HIV elimination.
According to the Uganda AIDS Commission’s 2023 report, 70% of new HIV infections occur in rural areas, underlining the need for increased investment in decentralized healthcare services. The Global Fund’s 2024–2026 HIV funding may offer a lifeline—but only if allocated effectively and promptly.
