KABALE – The persistent refusal by men to use condoms with sex workers has been cited as the primary driver behind the recent surge in HIV infections across Kabale District.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development was revealed by the Kabale District Health Officer, Dr. Gilbert Mateeka, during the Quarterly HIV Coordination Committee meeting this week at the District Health Boardroom.
Kabale District recorded a troubling 653 new HIV infections in the 2025/2026 financial year, figures that underscore public health challenges fueled by gender-based violence and entrenched behavioral norms.
The district also mourned the loss of 64 individuals to HIV-related causes during the same period, a stark reminder of the fatal consequences of delayed diagnosis and interrupted care.
Substantiating the grim accounts from the field, Dr. Mateeka singled out men’s pervasive reluctance to embrace condoms as a formidable obstacle crippling the district’s HIV response.
During targeted outreach with commercial sex workers at Katuna Border and in Kabale Municipality, health teams received distressing reports of coercion and assault connected to that resistance.
The workers said many clients openly reject protection, with some describing physical attacks and forced unprotected encounters that significantly increase their risk of HIV transmission.
“During health engagements with the commercial sex workers at Katuna Border and in Kabale Municipality, we heard that many men openly refuse to use condoms. Some workers told us they have been assaulted, and others said they were forced into unprotected sex. This widespread resistance is a barrier to prevention and places vulnerable people at risk of contracting HIV,” remarked Dr. Mateeka.
The engagement, which attracted 15 sex workers in Katuna and 50 in Kabale Town, focused on providing psychosocial support, reinforcing HIV prevention strategies, and exploring alternative income-generating activities to reduce dependency on high-risk work.
The District Health Educator and HIV Focal Person, Alfred Besigensi, reported that urban centers bore the heaviest burden, with Southern Division leading at 194 new cases, Central Division close behind at 176, and Northern Division with 61 cases.
He added that Katuna Town Council registered 50 cases, while among the sub-counties, Maziba recorded 26 new infections, Buhara 25, Kitumba 21, Ryakarimira Town Council 20, and Kaharo and Kyanamira each registered 19 cases.
The remaining areas, including Kibuga, Kamuganguzi, Kahungye, Butanda, and Rubaya, posted single-digit to low double-digit figures, completing a clear urban-rural gradient in the district’s HIV caseload.
The District Health Educator further noted that the district is currently averaging between 50 and 60 new HIV infections every month, underscoring the persistent nature of the epidemic.
The district’s viral load suppression performance over the past year stands at an impressive 98 percent, a powerful testament to the effectiveness of current treatment regimens for those who remain in care.
Of the 8,928 clients eligible for testing, 8,377 were tested, and a remarkable 8,217 achieved viral suppression, underscoring both strong programmatic reach and outstanding clinical outcomes across the population.
If you have a developing story, tip-off, or eyewitness account, reach out to our editorial team today.
📧 Email: westernpearlmedia@gmail.com
📞 Telephone / WhatsApp: +256 783 650 398
Let’s tell your story together—because every voice deserves to be heard.
About the Author
