Kenya and Uganda begin HIV drug roll-out

Uganda has taken delivery of its first 19,200 doses of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable medication developed to prevent HIV infection, marking a major step in the country’s sustained fight against the epidemic.

The shipment follows regulatory clearance by the National Drug Authority (NDA) earlier this year. Lenacapavir is administered once every six months and has demonstrated high effectiveness in preventing HIV infection in clinical trials.

The injectable is particularly aimed at populations at elevated risk, including adolescent girls and young women, who continue to account for a disproportionate share of new infections.

The initial batch, financed by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria with co-funding from the U.S. government, will begin distribution in March 2026 to districts recording high HIV incidence.

Health authorities believe the twice-yearly injection could significantly strengthen prevention efforts, especially in regions where adherence to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has remained a challenge.

Regional Rollout Gains Momentum

Lenacapavir is also being introduced in other African countries following regulatory approvals. Uganda’s rollout comes shortly after similar progress in Kenya, where health officials recently launched the national distribution of the long-acting prevention injection.

According to the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, Kenya’s launch marked a key public health milestone, with the first group of eligible recipients receiving their injections.

Kenya’s programme targets individuals at substantial risk of HIV and forms part of the country’s broader strategy to curb new infections and accelerate efforts toward ending the epidemic.

The country received an initial shipment of 21,000 starter doses through partnerships involving Gilead Sciences — the manufacturer of Lenacapavir — and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Additional consignments are expected in the coming months.

Officials have indicated that the injectable will be offered free of charge to eligible high-risk individuals at selected public health facilities in priority counties.

Why Lenacapavir Is Significant

Lenacapavir represents a major advancement in HIV prevention strategies.

Unlike conventional oral PrEP tablets that require daily intake, the biannual injection reduces the burden of daily medication, potentially improving adherence among individuals who struggle to maintain consistent pill use.

This innovation could prove particularly impactful in sub-Saharan Africa, where new infections among young people remain a pressing public health concern.

Clinical trials cited by the World Health Organization have shown that Lenacapavir can substantially lower the risk of acquiring HIV when used as a preventive intervention.

Long-acting formulations such as this offer an important alternative for people whose lifestyles or circumstances make daily medication difficult.

Partnerships Driving Access

The rollout in Uganda and Kenya has been supported by coordinated global partnerships involving the Global Fund, the U.S. government, and international pharmaceutical stakeholders.

These collaborations are part of a broader strategy to widen access to effective HIV prevention tools and reinforce national response programmes in countries with high disease burden.

Health officials remain hopeful that introducing Lenacapavir will not only reduce new infections but also strengthen engagement with prevention services, particularly among young women, key populations, and communities facing stigma or barriers to healthcare.

As East African nations integrate this long-acting option into their prevention strategies, public health experts express optimism that Lenacapavir could reshape the HIV prevention landscape and accelerate progress toward ending the epidemic as a public health threat.