KCCA MARKS WORLD AIDS DAY WITH FOCUS ON VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES

Residents of Namuwongo flocked to Kanyogoga Playground on Friday for HIV testing, counseling, and other health services as the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) marked World AIDS Day, highlighting its expanded efforts to fight HIV in the city.

This year’s theme, “Building a Sustainable HIV Response to End AIDS as a Public Health Threat by 2030,” reflects KCCA’s commitment to modernizing health services and reaching vulnerable communities.

Kampala carries a heavier HIV burden than the national average, with a prevalence of 6.9%, compared to 4.9% nationwide, and about 5,000 new infections reported annually.

Representing the Executive Director, Eng. Justus Akankwasa, KCCA’s Director of Engineering and Technical Services, said the authority is scaling up health tools and rolling out differentiated service delivery models to improve access.

“We are expanding mobile and community testing, integrating digital tools to track treatment, and strengthening referral systems so no one falls through the cracks,” Akankwasa said. “We are also addressing barriers like gender-based violence and stigma that prevent people from seeking care.”

KCCA currently provides free comprehensive HIV services at eight city health facilities, including Kisenyi Health Center IV, Kawaala Health Center IV, Kiswa Health Center III, Komamboga, Kisugu, Kitebi, Bukoto, and City Hall Clinic. Officials said the wide network ensures residents can access care close to home.

The commemoration brought together partners including Uganda Cares, Untold Initiative, Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), and TIKO.

Working alongside KCCA staff, they offered HIV testing and counseling, TB screening, blood pressure checks, and condom distribution among others. Volunteers moved through the crowd providing guidance and raising awareness about health and prevention.

Youth-focused initiatives were a highlight of the day. Desire Musimenta, communications manager at TIKO, praised KCCA for widening access to reproductive health information and services for young people.

“Youth face challenges from HIV risk, gender-based violence, and mental health issues,” Musimenta said. “KCCA is helping open doors for them.”

A moving testimony came from Richard Kirya, who has lived with HIV since 1994 and receives treatment at Kisenyi Health Center IV. He urged residents to know their status and stay on treatment.

“Take your tablets, protect others, and don’t fear to know your status,” Kirya said.

Dr. Christopher Oundo, the KCCA HIV Focal Person said, Kampala remains a priority for HIV prevention due to its dense population, fast urban mobility, and social pressures that make access to services difficult.

With strong partner support and innovative approaches, they said the city is positioned to accelerate progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

As the day wound down, families stayed to speak with health workers and pick up information leaflets, while children played nearby.

In every conversation, test, and checkup, KCCA’s message was clear: the city is committed to fighting HIV, protecting residents, and leaving no one behind.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer