Soroti City’s HIV prevalence has surged to 12.4%, according to data presented by the Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC) during a stakeholder meeting on September 17, marking a rise from 11.6% and nearly three times the national average of 4.7%. The figures, revealed at TASO Soroti Hall, underscored the city’s growing HIV burden, which UAC officials warned could jeopardize Uganda’s 2030 target to end AIDS as a public health threat. Charles Otai, a UAC official, emphasized the need for localized strategies to address unique drivers of new infections, urging collaboration among city leaders, health workers, and community stakeholders.
The meeting, attended by Soroti City Council representatives, health professionals, and development partners, focused on integrating HIV interventions into the city’s 2027/28 budget. Otai stressed that general prevention measures would not suffice, stating, “We need to look at, on a case-by-case basis, what are those issues that are unique to Soroti.” He highlighted the risk of high-prevalence areas like Soroti undermining national progress, calling for evidence-based responses to identify and mitigate infection drivers.
Soroti City East Mayor Abdul Latif acknowledged the city’s challenges, citing its status as a commercial hub and rapidly growing population as factors contributing to the rise. “Being now a very busy place, there are so many people coming in and going out,” Latif said, noting the need for targeted prevention efforts in high-traffic areas like bars and clubs. He pledged to prioritize HIV funding in the upcoming financial year, aligning with his role as regional chairperson of the AIDS Information Centre (AIC).
AIC plans to expand community-based HIV testing starting in October, with teams visiting all city wards to increase access. Latif, who also leads AIC’s regional operations, stated, “We’re going to visit the people, we’ll move nearer and give service nearer.” The organization, supported by the CDC in the Teso region, currently operates in 112 government health facilities, including Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, and provides laboratory support to seven regional facilities.
Ochogia Abdallah, AIC’s advocacy and communications specialist, called the prevalence rise a “wake-up call,” urging young people to prioritize regular testing and preventive measures like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). “Young people should not wait until HIV affects their lives before taking action,” he said, advocating for open discussions to reduce stigma and encourage service uptake. AIC also funds district-led HIV initiatives in the Teso region, alongside training community health workers and supporting sample transportation for testing.
UAC officials reiterated that Soroti’s response must be grounded in local data to address specific populations and behaviors driving infections. Otai emphasized the need for partnerships with government and development agencies to secure resources for targeted interventions. “We have to do something about it to see to it that the new infections come down,” he said, urging stakeholders to focus on identifying and addressing root causes.
Stakeholders urged residents, particularly youth, to utilize HIV services at facilities like Soroti Regional Referral Hospital and Kichinjaji Health Centre III. The city’s actions will be critical in determining whether it becomes a model for effective, localized AIDS responses or a barrier to Uganda’s 2030 goals, as officials race to implement measures that balance public health needs with rapid urbanization and demographic shifts.