Government and partners have intensified calls for consistent and correct condom use as Uganda pushes to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030, with officials warning that gaps in uptake among young people and couples continue to drive new infections.
Speaking ahead of International Condom Day, officials from the Ministry of Health, Uganda AIDS Commission, KCCA and UNFPA reiterated the central role of condoms in preventing HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies.
Boniface Epoku, Programme Officer for HIV Prevention and head of Condom Programming at the Ministry of Health, said Uganda distributed close to 200 million condoms last year. While uptake has improved among high-risk populations such as sex workers — estimated at nearly 70 to 78 percent — usage remains low among young people aged 15 to 24, standing at about 36 to 40 percent. Among married couples, use averages between 50 and 54 percent, below the national target of 90 percent.
“We know that if condoms are used correctly and consistently, up to 57 percent of new infections can be averted,” Epoku said, urging the public to maintain protection unless partners have tested and confirmed their HIV status.
Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, said government has committed financing to ensure steady supply under a total market approach, combining free public-sector distribution with affordable commercial options. He revealed that the ministry has rebranded and improved condoms to address public concerns over size and smell, introducing new flavours and more accommodative designs.
Olaro stressed that while treatment has expanded — with about 1.5 million Ugandans on HIV treatment — prevention remains critical. “There is no cure for HIV. Treatment is lifelong. Prevention is self-care,” he said.
At the city level, KCCA officials highlighted community-driven approaches to boost demand and proper disposal. In Kawempe Division, condom champions have been identified in all 22 parishes, working with religious leaders and lodge owners to identify safe hotspots for dispensers and link waste disposal to health facilities.
UNFPA representatives said the condom remains one of the most effective tools for young people, many of whom do not use other family planning methods. Beyond HIV prevention, condoms help reduce teenage pregnancies and prevent STIs that can lead to infertility.
Despite funding and logistical challenges in recent years, partners said improved quantification and coordination have reduced stock-outs, with renewed focus on last-mile distribution and community engagement to close remaining gaps.