Ugandan health officials and researchers say plans are under way to introduce long-acting injectable treatment for people living with HIV, potentially replacing the need for daily antiretroviral pills.
The treatment combines the drugs cabotegravir and rilpivirine and is administered once every two months. Researchers say the approach could improve adherence to medication, strengthen viral suppression and help reduce HIV-related deaths.
Dr Robert Mutumba, who heads the Ministry of Health’s Aids Control Programme, said the outlook for introducing the injections in Uganda was encouraging, although preparations were still ongoing.
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Researchers involved in the trials say one of the main goals is to address challenges faced by patients who struggle to take oral medication consistently over long periods.
Dr Cissy Kityo, executive director of the Joint Clinical Research Centre, said African-led studies had played a major role in advancing the treatment. She noted that research conducted across the continent contributed to the World Health Organization updating its HIV treatment guidelines.
According to Dr Kityo, efforts are now focused on making generic versions of the injectable drugs available at lower cost to improve access in Uganda and other African countries.
Findings from a Phase 3b clinical trial published this year in the journal Nature Medicine showed that the injectable treatment performed as effectively as daily oral medication.
The study found that after 96 weeks, 97% of participants receiving the injections maintained viral suppression, matching the results among those taking daily pills.
Researchers concluded that the treatment was safe, effective and suitable for use in African HIV treatment programmes.
Uganda continues to face a significant HIV burden. Official figures show the country recorded about 37,000 new HIV infections and 20,000 HIV-related deaths in 2025. Around 1.5 million people in Uganda are currently living with HIV.
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