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Former Grade III Teacher graduates with a PhD: NCDC approves her Study Intervention for Adolescent Care

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Sixty four-year-old Sarah Bunoti Nantono is a retired teacher and Lecturer of Psychology. She enrolled for a Ph.D. program at Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in 2013 with the goal of studying early adolescent reproductive health. 

Having taught for more than thirty years, Dr. Sarah Bunoti Nantono had moved up the academic ladder from being a primary school teacher to a lecturer at Kyambogo University. She believed that earning a PhD would be her ultimate goal in life. While at Kyambogo University, the second largest of the now 13 public universities in Uganda, Dr. Sarah Bunoti devoted her professional life to training social scientists, teachers and teacher educators.

Eleven years later, Dr. Bunoti Sarah Nantono is one of the 46 females of the 132 PhD graduands in the #Mak74thGrad, which begins on Monday, January 29, 2024. 

She successfully earns a Doctor of Philosophy ( PhD) in Public Health from Makerere University following her in-depth research titled; “Pubertal and Child Rights Awareness, Communication, and Child Protection against Sexual Abuse and Exploitation among 10–14-year-olds in Jinja Primary Schools: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Effectiveness of a School-Based Intervention.”

Dr. Sarah Bunoti is a seasoned lecturer with a proven track record in teacher training, social sciences, and psychology. Holding an MSc in Environment from Makerere University Institute of Environment, she also earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Psychology from Makerere University in 1999, a Diploma in Teacher Education from ITEK in 1995, and a Grade III Primary School Teachers’ Certificate from the National Institute of Education. Beginning her career in 1981 as a primary school teacher,  and later  as a Teacher Trainer in the Ministry of Education in 1995, Sarah transitioned to Kyambogo University in 2000, where she currently serves as a part-time Lecturer, following her retirement. Sarah Bunoti Nantono is not only an educator but also an accomplished author, contributing to the development of the Child Rights Curriculum (CRED-PRO).

Dr. Sarah Bunoti’s PhD research examined how Jinja primary school children, aged 10 to 14, understood puberty and their rights related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH). The study looked at their knowledge sources, difficulties, and prospects for managing pubertal health effectively. 

The 10-14 age group comprises 10% of the global population, with Uganda having a higher percentage at 16%. This period marks the onset of significant changes, known as the storm in Psychology, involving body transformations and social shifts.

According to Dr. Sarah Bunoti, timely support during these changes fosters a sense of achievement, but delays can lead to anxiety and unpreparedness. Uganda, aligning with international agreements, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, works to uphold children’s sexual well-being through policies and partnerships. 

Dr. Sarah Bunoti further notes in her research that the 10-14 age group in Uganda encounters puberty during primary school without appropriate information, support, protection, or preparation for the changes, leading to psychological challenges, sexual abuse, early marriages, unplanned pregnancies, and a rise in school dropouts.

Dr. Sarah Bunoti's PhD Defense Panel [Professor Stella Neema, Associate Professor Joseph Ssenyonga, Dr. Siu E. Godfrey, Dr. Beyeza-Kashesya Jolly and supervisors Associate Professor Lynn Atuyambe, Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye alongside the session chairperson Prof. Garimoi Orach] determining the verdict before she was declared to have passed her defense. Davies Lecture Theatre, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Sarah Bunoti’s PhD Defense Panel [Professor Stella Neema, Associate Professor Joseph Ssenyonga, Dr. Siu E. Godfrey, Dr. Beyeza-Kashesya Jolly and supervisors Associate Professor Lynn Atuyambe, Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye alongside the session chairperson Prof. Garimoi Orach] determining the verdict before she was declared to have passed her defense.

Busoga region, where the study was conducted faces particularly high rates of teenage pregnancies (7%) and school dropouts (91%). Children hold misconceptions driven by myths about puberty, emphasizing the lack of systematic guidance. Current Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health programs focus on older children in secondary schools, neglecting the needs of those under 15.

Traditional sources, like family discussions, have diminished, placing the responsibility on schools, which often lack the necessary resources and teacher training. As a result, many 10-14-year olds are ill-prepared for changes and lack protection against sexual abuse, highlighting the necessity for evidence-based school interventions to address this information gap.

“Previously in our African traditional setting, the Aunties, Uncles and grandparents talked about puberty and prepared children for adulthood however with the breakdown of African traditional settings, schools are expected to do the role of talking to children about puberty.

Unfortunately, schools often look at puberty as an issue that is concerned with the family and expect the family to do that but also one possible problem is that the teachers themselves don’t know what to do when they are preparing these children for that,” observes Dr. Sarah Bunoti. 

Unfortunately, some stakeholders use threatening language, warnings, and punishments, contributing to risk behaviors, including sexual abuse, mood swings, and trauma among children.

“We wanted to find out what these children know about puberty, challenges they face and the support they get. We also wanted to find out from key duty bearers, these are parents and teachers, what kind of support do they give to the children and to what extent do they fulfill their obligations to protect the children against sexual abuse,” said Dr. Sarah Bunoti.

The study covered 16 primary schools purposefully selected for their diverse characteristics, including boarding status, religious affiliations, gender specifications, and geographical locations. The investigators also engaged with government officials to understand their stance on current sexual and reproductive health issues among young adolescents. 
The study exposed deficiencies in children’s understanding of puberty and child rights, along with teachers’ inadequate knowledge and skills in teaching puberty. 

Findings for instance revealed that kids—particularly boys—don’t often get the chance to talk candidly about puberty with adults. In all focus group conversations, the study gave boys and girls a forum to openly address their experiences, difficulties, and rights related to sexual and reproductive health. This emphasizes how important it is for all people to become widely sensitive to the issues that face kids.  Stepmothers were found not to communicate about puberty because of generalization and others.

Sarah Bunoti Nantono on the day of her PhD Defence. Davies Lecture Theatre, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Sarah Bunoti Nantono on the day of her PhD Defence.

“Surprisingly, discussions on pubertal challenges elicited more extensive responses from both boys and girls compared to other topics. Boys, although engaging in perceived anti-social behavior, demonstrated a level of conscience. It became evident that children, despite being sexually and biologically mature, require guidance on navigating the impact of hormones on their sexual feelings. The blame for communication gaps often falls on parents, who may be absent due to work, divorce, or being orphaned,” says Dr. Bunoti. 

Subsequently, she developed, applied, and assessed two intervention books; A children’s Resource book and a Teachers’ guide. The Randomized Control Trial demonstrated improved pubertal knowledge among children and enhanced teaching capabilities in teachers, affirming the intervention’s effectiveness. These intervention books were approved by the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) and approved for teaching pubertal health and safety in primary schools nationwide. 

Dr. Bunoti has recommended empowering and involving young communicators to convey Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information to 10-14-year-olds, working collaboratively with parents and teachers, a strategy she believes will narrow the generation gap and enhance effective communication. Additionally, she calls for increased awareness and participation of male parents and teachers in SRH communication and child protection.

“Parents and adults should supplement school-based SRHR education by instilling age-appropriate individual, family, and community values and skills rooted in social, cultural, and religious contexts. Provide specialized training for Senior Women Teachers and Male Teachers, and reduce their teaching load to ensure dedicated attention to this critical aspect of education,” Dr. Bunoti expertly says. 

Her study, funded by Sida and supervised by Dr. Lynn Atuyambe and Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye, successfully attained this recognition.

During her PhD defense, Associate Professor Lynn Atuyambe remarked, “It was a very enjoyable defense. You truly and successfully defended your PhD—now, you own your PhD.”

“I want to thank most especially your family, they’ve been part of this journey I am not guessing, I know they’ve been and am excited to see them and I like the support they have offered to mum. The highest level of education in the world is a PhD, you can do no more than that. You have reached at the saddle of your life in academia, congratulations and I wish you good luck,” said Dr. Lynn Atuyambe. 

Associate Professor Lynn Atuyambe, Dr. Sarah Bunoti's supervisor speaking during her defense. Davies Lecture Theatre, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Associate Professor Lynn Atuyambe, Dr. Sarah Bunoti’s supervisor speaking during her defense.

How her PhD Journey started

About a decade ago, SIDA had been consistently supporting Makerere University. However, they decided to extend their support to other public universities. When the opportunity arose, she seized it. 

“I have a habit of greeting, and my children often question why I greet so much. Sometimes, it turns out to be quite beneficial. One day, I walked into my Dean Dr. J Katigo – Kaheeru’s office and greeted, asking how he was. He said, ‘Sarah, I am glad you’ve come, read this but I said Doctor I am not ready for this,  but he said, ‘Sarah, you can’t give any more excuses, this is a God given opportunity, they want a concept for the SIDA Scholarships, go ahead and write a concept.’ I later met Professor Mary N Okwakol, my undergraduate Lecturer of Zoology, and Professor Albert Lutalo Bbosa, the former Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University, who too reassured me of my potential to attain a PhD.    Out of 26 submissions from Kyambogo University, only three concepts were selected, and fortunately, mine was one of them,” Dr. Sarah Bunoti recalls. 

Once her concept was ready, Dr. Bunoti came to Makerere University, but her research topic was broad. Unfortunately, her background did not align with the faculties that typically received sponsorship from SIDA. Zoology, Psychology, Education, and Environmental Studies were her strengths, but none fell within the supported areas. 
Feeling disconsolate, she sought guidance from the then Director of Research and Graduate Studies at Makerere University, Professor Elly Katunguka. “He said, ‘why should you really struggle looking for a home, go and try School of Public Health. With your background, you’ll find a home,” she recalls.

Acting on his advice, Dr. Sarah Bunoti visited the School of Public Health one morning. However, the Dean, Prof. William Bazeyo, then, was away on leave; “I spoke with Assoc. Prof. Fred Wabwire-Mangen, the Acting Dean at the time. I explained my situation, highlighting my expertise in teaching, psychology, and environmental studies. He encouraged me to submit my concept, assuring me that these areas were valued in public health. This led to provisional admission, and I began refining my proposal with their guidance.”

As she exited Dr. Mangeni’s office, he promptly contacted Professor Anne Katahoire, who was by then the Director of Makerere University Child Health and Development Centre  and  Prof. Atuyambe, who was in Nairobi for a conference and told them; “We have a prospective student here, are you willing to take her up and without hesitation, Prof. Anne said yes and Prof. Lynn said, ‘I am in Nairobi but when I come back, I want to see that student,” Sarah recollects.

Subsequently, Prof. Mangeni reached out to Prof. Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye upon recognizing the importance of the statistics component, he promptly invited her to discuss further details at the school. “In a short span, I found myself with a dedicated team of supervisors, a supportive Doctoral Committee chaired by Prof. Christopher Garimoi Orach with Prof Joseph Oonyu (RIP) and Dr. Christine K. Nalwadda, and a scholarly home in the Department of Community and Behavioral Sciences at the Makerere University School of Public Health,” Sarah Bunoti says.

Dr. Sarah Bunoti expresses gratitude to the MakSPH PhD Forum, the MakSPH family, the funder and her mother institution -Kyambogo University for the immeasurable support.

Dr. Sarah Bunoti (holding flowers) in a group photo with her PhD supervisors, examiners and family after her PhD defense. Davies Lecture Theatre, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Sarah Bunoti (holding flowers) in a group photo with her PhD supervisors, examiners and family after her PhD defense.

Dr. Sarah Bunoti expresses gratitude to the MakSPH PhD Forum, the MakSPH family, the funder and her mother institution -Kyambogo University for the inestimable support. She is also grateful to head teachers, teachers, children, and parents from her 16 project schools; Jinja City and District Education, Health and  Community Development officers as well as the Family and Child Protection Unit of the Uganda Police Force and others for the information and support rendered to her.

“I can’t quantify the support I received from MakSPH, from PhD forum, from my supervisors you all did a good job to support me in this. In addition, SIDA did a good job because with our teaching salary, paying for my PhD would have been a problem but they paid all my tuition even when the scholarship was ending they said Sarah, we are paying for two years at ago and paid for the field’s activities,” she recalls. 

She is equally grateful to everyone who provided her and her research team with useful information; Kyambogo University for assigning a teaching assistant to help her focus and her husband, Dr. Bunoti, who has promised to support her dream.  
“I want to thank my family, my sister Mrs. Rebecca Lucy and her husband Eng. Dr  James Muwuluke, my children. They have been there for me, my husband, Dr. Bunoti met me when I was a primary school teacher and he was a Doctor teach and told me, Sarah, I will support you until you are tired of reading and has kept his word, there are few empowered men who will want a woman to come up and get the title they hold,” she said. 

Dr. Sarah Bunoti with her family. Davies Lecture Theatre, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Sarah Bunoti with her family.

“Given what I have gone through, am so excited about this achievement. My family is so excited about this. My husband is extremely excited. They have written short paragraphs about me about my resilience. I had decided not to hold any celebration but my sister and her husband says this could not pass since it is no mean achievement,” she says.

Dr. Godfrey Siu Etyang, her Ph.D. overseer, has invited her to collaborate on a parenting project at the Child Health and Development Center, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University. Over the past month, she has been actively contributing to the development of a comprehensive parenting curriculum for the unit.

Dr. Bunoti anticipates scaling up the approved intervention, particularly to additional primary schools in the Busoga region and beyond and has already began talks with Ministry of Education and Sports to support children’s understanding of puberty, a sine qua non for education and parenting.

Unexpected difficulties affected Dr. Sarah Bunoti Nantono’s journey to earning her Ph.D., resulting in longer than the expected four to six years. Midway through her studies, she developed insomnia, which was an unexpected health problem. In 2020 when it appeared that she would soon graduate, the Doctoral Committee insisted that she must publish her work, and was reluctant to accept a monograph, one of the options for one to graduate with a PhD at Makerere University. Further delays were due to lengthy processes to have her manuscripts published and clearances through the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Other than these challenges, Dr. Nantono also had to repeat the entire data collection process and deal with the untimely death of Assoc. Prof. Joseph Oonyu, a key member of her doctorate committee, in October 2020. Despite these challenges, Dr. Nantono feels proud to have completed her doctorate, demonstrating her incredible endurance in the face of adversity.


Congratulations Sarah!

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Davidson Ndyabahika

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Uganda’s Outbreak Experience Points to Strong Response Systems but Persistent Detection Gaps

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MakSPH Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dr. Steven Kabwama, district health officials and partners at the EPiC validation workshop on Uganda’s Ebola and Marburg outbreak responses, 6 October 2026. Makerere University School of Public Health and FHI 360 country validation workshop convened by the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EPiC) project, to examine lessons from Uganda’s response to filovirus disease outbreaks, 6th October 2026, MakSPH Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Uganda has strengthened its ability to respond rapidly to Ebola and Marburg outbreaks once cases are confirmed, but delays in frontline detection, health worker exposure, emergency financing bottlenecks and incomplete implementation of lessons from previous outbreaks continue to undermine preparedness, a study has found.

The findings were presented today, October 6, 2026, during a country validation workshop convened by the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EPiC) project, to examine lessons from Uganda’s response to filovirus disease outbreaks. The study was undertaken by Makerere University School of Public Health and FHI 360.

Presented by Dr. Steven Kabwama, the synthesis examined Uganda’s experience with recurrent Ebola virus disease (EVD) and Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreaks between 2000 and 2026, drawing particularly on After-Action Reviews from the 2017 Marburg outbreak and the 2019, 2022 and 2025 Ebola outbreaks. The work seeks to consolidate recurring strengths, weaknesses, innovations and lessons that had previously been documented separately.

Dr. Steven Kabwama presents findings on strengths and detection gaps in Uganda’s Ebola and Marburg outbreak responses at the EPiC validation workshop, 6 October 2026. Makerere University School of Public Health and FHI 360 country validation workshop convened by the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EPiC) project, to examine lessons from Uganda’s response to filovirus disease outbreaks, 6th October 2026, MakSPH Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Steven Kabwama presents findings on strengths and detection gaps in Uganda’s Ebola and Marburg outbreak responses at the EPiC validation workshop, 6 October 2026.

Uganda has recorded 12 filovirus outbreaks over the 26-year period, including nine Ebola and three Marburg outbreaks, according to the research team. Among the four outbreaks examined closely were the 2017 Marburg outbreak in Kween and Kapchorwa, the cross-border Ebola outbreak in Kasese in 2019, the multi-district Sudan Ebola virus outbreak in 2022, and the 2025 outbreak whose index case was a health worker.

Strong systems after confirmation

Across the outbreaks reviewed, the synthesis found that Uganda has developed significant capacity to mobilise after laboratory confirmation. National and district task forces and technical response structures are activated quickly, supported by strong laboratory capacity, established coordination mechanisms and increasingly sophisticated surveillance systems.

The country has also built laboratory capacity around the Uganda Virus Research Institute, mobile laboratories, genomic sequencing, sample referral systems and the Results Dispatch System. Digital surveillance tools, Village Health Teams, survivor champions and established national and district coordination structures have further strengthened response capacity.

Detection remains a weak point

However, the findings point to a critical problem before confirmation: recognising a possible outbreak early enough.

For outbreaks originating within Uganda, the synthesis found that the period between a patient’s first presentation and confirmation ranged from nine to 27 days. This the study found is linked to low clinical suspicion and weaknesses in screening. Other recurring challenges included delayed access to emergency financing, infections among health workers, disruptions to essential health services, community mistrust and stigma, and limited follow-through on recommendations from previous After-Action Reviews.

Opening the workshop, the Dean, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, said understanding these delays requires going beyond identifying broad weaknesses to examining where response systems fail in practice.

“We can identify a broad challenge such as delayed detection from the literature, but your experience on the ground can help us understand the specific factors that create that challenge,” Prof. Wanyenze said while addressing district health officials from across the country.

MakSPH Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze (right) speaks with Dr. Andrew Ocero of FHI 360 during the EPiC validation workshop on Uganda’s Ebola and Marburg outbreak responses, 6 October 2026. Makerere University School of Public Health and FHI 360 country validation workshop convened by the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EPiC) project, to examine lessons from Uganda’s response to filovirus disease outbreaks, 6th October 2026, MakSPH Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
MakSPH Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze (right) speaks with Dr. Andrew Ocero of FHI 360 during the EPiC validation workshop on Uganda’s Ebola and Marburg outbreak responses, 6 October 2026.

“When we begin looking for solutions, we need to be able to target the actual problems rather than simply identifying broad challenges.”

The workshop brought together partners and colleagues from districts, including people directly involved in outbreak response, to validate the synthesis against frontline experience. Prof. Wanyenze noted that published literature, scientific papers and response reports cannot capture every operational reality, making practitioner experience essential to understanding where delays occur and what interventions have worked. Remarks validation workshop

Turning outbreak experience into continuous readiness

Among the priority actions proposed are stronger screening and alert systems for earlier detection; ring-fenced emergency financing and more reliable responder payment systems; routine infection prevention and control training; stronger occupational protection for health workers; continued investment in laboratories and genomic sequencing; and preparedness extending beyond districts traditionally considered outbreak hotspots. The study also recommends stronger community engagement and a formal mechanism to track and finance implementation of recommendations from After-Action Reviews.

Participants contribute to discussions on Uganda’s Ebola and Marburg outbreak responses during the EPiC validation workshop, 6 October 2026. Makerere University School of Public Health and FHI 360 country validation workshop convened by the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EPiC) project, to examine lessons from Uganda’s response to filovirus disease outbreaks, 6th October 2026, MakSPH Auditorium, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Participants contribute to discussions on Uganda’s Ebola and Marburg outbreak responses during the EPiC validation workshop, 6 October 2026.

Dr. Andrew Acero, Director of the EPiC project at FHI 360’s Uganda Office said the central challenge is ensuring that experience accumulated during successive outbreaks translates into lasting institutional capacity.

“The real value lies in ensuring that what we learn changes what we do. Our findings should inform policy, shape guidelines and training, strengthen systems and ultimately improve practice.”

He noted that preparedness cannot begin only after an emergency has been declared, but must be built through sustained relationships, systems and capacity before outbreaks occur. Remarks validation workshop

The EPiC project is led by FHI 360 with core partners including Right to Care, Palladium and Population Services International.

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Betty Kyakuwa
Betty Kyakuwa

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Uganda’s HIV Treatment Gains Bring the Youth Gap into Focus

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Stakeholders pose for a group photo at the UPHIA preliminary results release on 1st October 2026. Released of preliminary findings of the 2025 Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA 2025), a national household survey that provides a current picture of the country’s HIV response and selected non-communicable disease indicators, Ministry of Health-overall leadership, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)-prime implementing organisation, working with UVRI, UBOS, regional referral hospitals and local governments. Funded by PEPFAR through the U.S. CDC, 1st October 2026, Uganda Media Centre, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

Uganda’s latest national HIV survey reveals lower viral suppression among adolescents and young adults living with HIV than among older adults, even as the country records substantial improvements in controlling the virus. The findings come from Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA 2025), a national household survey examining HIV prevalence and whether people living with the virus know their status, receive treatment, and achieve viral suppression.

Releasing the preliminary UPHIA 2025 findings at the Uganda Media Centre on 1 October 2026, Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi called for earlier prevention and testing, particularly among adolescent girls and young women, alongside support for treatment adherence. “We must reach out to the young people, ensure that they have information, they test, take treatment, and adhere to the treatment guidance,” he urged.

Hon. Baryomunsi recalled how fear had discouraged testing during his university years: “I remember when we were at university, we went for testing at the university hospital. We sat there for three hours. Some of us left without even testing because it was scary.” Today, he explained, “even if you test HIV positive, you can be initiated on treatment, and you live normally like the rest of those who don’t have HIV.”

Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi urges earlier HIV testing and stronger treatment adherence among young people at the UPHIA 2025 preliminary results release, Uganda Media Centre, 1 October 2026. Released of preliminary findings of the 2025 Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA 2025), a national household survey that provides a current picture of the country’s HIV response and selected non-communicable disease indicators, Ministry of Health-overall leadership, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)-prime implementing organisation, working with UVRI, UBOS, regional referral hospitals and local governments. Funded by PEPFAR through the U.S. CDC, 1st October 2026, Uganda Media Centre, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi urges earlier HIV testing and stronger treatment adherence among young people at the UPHIA 2025 preliminary results release, Uganda Media Centre, 1 October 2026.

UPHIA 2025 was locally led under the Ministry of Health’s overall leadership, with Makerere University School of Public Health serving as the prime implementer, a role ICAP at Columbia University held in the previous two surveys. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics led sampling, while the Uganda Virus Research Institute and National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services led laboratory operations. Regional referral hospitals and local governments supported implementation, and the U.S. government provided US$10 million through PEPFAR, along with technical assistance from the U.S. CDC.

UPHIA collected data from July to September 2025 among people aged 15 and above, including those outside routine treatment services. Of 6,283 eligible households, 94.4% completed interviews. Researchers interviewed 13,801 people and tested 13,477 for HIV.

Testing followed Uganda’s national algorithm, with laboratory confirmation of positive samples, viral-load measurement, and checks for antiretroviral medicines to establish treatment use. Researchers weighted the estimates to account for the sampling design. Participants received counselling and results, and those who tested positive were referred for treatment.

Hon. Baryomunsi thanked participants and their families for welcoming survey staff and contributing their time, information and samples, without which the national evidence would not have been available.

UPHIA field staff sensitise community members about the survey ahead of data collection in July 2025. Release of preliminary findings of the 2025 Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA 2025), a national household survey that provides a current picture of the country’s HIV response and selected non-communicable disease indicators, Ministry of Health-overall leadership, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)-prime implementing organisation, working with UVRI, UBOS, regional referral hospitals and local governments. Funded by PEPFAR through the U.S. CDC, 1st October 2026, Uganda Media Centre, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
UPHIA field staff sensitise community members about the survey ahead of data collection in July 2025.

National progress and the youth gap

The survey estimated HIV prevalence, which means the proportion of people living with HIV, at 5.9% among those aged 15 and above, corresponding to about 1.496 million people in this age group nationwide. Prevalence was 7.3% among women and 4.1% among men, ranging from 1.3% in Karamoja to 8% in the South Western region.

Among people aged 15 and above living with HIV, 86% had achieved viral suppression, meaning a low amount of HIV in the blood, measured in UPHIA as fewer than 1,000 copies per millilitre. Suppression stood at 69.3% among adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 living with HIV, compared with 89.9% among those aged 50 and above. These estimates cover people living with HIV regardless of whether they know their status or receive treatment.

A UPHIA field worker collects a blood sample from a survey participant in July 2025. Release of preliminary findings of the 2025 Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA 2025), a national household survey that provides a current picture of the country’s HIV response and selected non-communicable disease indicators, Ministry of Health-overall leadership, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)-prime implementing organisation, working with UVRI, UBOS, regional referral hospitals and local governments. Funded by PEPFAR through the U.S. CDC, 1st October 2026, Uganda Media Centre, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
A UPHIA field worker collects a blood sample from a survey participant in July 2025.

HIV prevalence among people aged 15–24 was 1.5%, including 2% among young women and 1% among young men. Among young women, prevalence was 1.3% at ages 15–19 and 2.8% at ages 20–24. These differences support attention to earlier prevention and testing, although they do not establish when infections occurred.

The highest prevalence estimates occurred among middle-aged adults: 15.7% among women aged 40–44 and 11.7% among men aged 45–49. Lower suppression among young people therefore requires attention alongside the higher HIV prevalence among middle-aged adults. Comparing the same age group across both surveys, viral suppression among people aged 15–64 increased from 74.9% in 2020–21 to 86.1% in 2025, while HIV prevalence remained at 5.9%.

UPHIA 2025 findings show HIV prevalence by age, sex and region among people aged 15 and above, with the highest estimates among middle-aged adults and in the South Western region. Release of preliminary findings of the 2025 Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA 2025), a national household survey that provides a current picture of the country’s HIV response and selected non-communicable disease indicators, Ministry of Health-overall leadership, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)-prime implementing organisation, working with UVRI, UBOS, regional referral hospitals and local governments. Funded by PEPFAR through the U.S. CDC, 1st October 2026, Uganda Media Centre, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
UPHIA 2025 findings show HIV prevalence by age, sex and region among people aged 15 and above, with the highest estimates among middle-aged adults and in the South Western region.

Diagnosis and the path to 2030

The treatment results identify diagnosis as the main national gap. Among people aged 15 and above living with HIV, 85.3% knew their status. Of those aware, 99.1% were receiving treatment; among those receiving treatment, 96.5% had achieved suppression.

The 95-95-95 targets aimed for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95% of those receiving treatment to achieve viral suppression by 2025. Among people aged 15 and above, Uganda exceeded the treatment and suppression targets, while diagnosis remained below target. UNAIDS’s Global AIDS Strategy 2026–2031 retains these targets towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

According to WHO, viral suppression protects health and helps prevent HIV transmission. Uncontrolled HIV weakens the immune system, increasing the risk of serious illness. With continued treatment as prescribed, sexual transmission risk is negligible when HIV remains suppressed but detectable, and zero when undetectable. The Uganda AIDS Commission estimated over 34,000 new HIV infections in 2025, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis, timely treatment, and sustained suppression alongside other prevention measures.

Then Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng flagged off UPHIA 2025 field teams in Kampala on 29 May 2025 to generate evidence guiding Uganda’s HIV response towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The Ministry of Health-led survey is implemented with technical support from MakSPH and partners. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) reflection on long and productive partnership with the people and Government of the United States, spanning more than 35 years. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Then Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng flagged off UPHIA 2025 field teams in Kampala on 29 May 2025 to generate evidence guiding Uganda’s HIV response towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

The demographic stakes are substantial. People aged 15–24 constituted 21.2% of Uganda’s population in the 2024 census. The country’s Fourth National Development Plan, covering 2025–2030, prioritises a healthy, knowledgeable, skilled and productive population and reducing HIV through primary health care. Protecting young people’s health, therefore, supports their participation in education, work, and national development; UPHIA helps identify where services need greater attention.

Turning evidence into action

The study’s conclusions identify three priorities: sustain treatment outcomes, find people unaware of their status, and improve suppression among younger people. Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine connected the findings to the Ministry’s planning.

“We do believe that these results are a true reflection of what is happening in our country as far as the HIV status is concerned, and we do believe that it will give us a very clear direction and the roadmap that we are going to take in the next five years to target and to get our targets achieved.”

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine explains how UPHIA findings will guide the Ministry’s planning at the preliminary results release, Uganda Media Centre, 1 October 2026. Release of preliminary findings of the 2025 Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA 2025), a national household survey that provides a current picture of the country’s HIV response and selected non-communicable disease indicators, Ministry of Health-overall leadership, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)-prime implementing organisation, working with UVRI, UBOS, regional referral hospitals and local governments. Funded by PEPFAR through the U.S. CDC, 1st October 2026, Uganda Media Centre, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwine explains how UPHIA findings will guide the Ministry’s planning at the preliminary results release, Uganda Media Centre, 1 October 2026.

Acting on these priorities requires funding for services and research. Hon. Baryomunsi outlined plans to target resources where needs are greatest, strengthen district services and align partner support with government priorities. Responding to journalists’ questions, he noted the government’s intention to increase domestic funding for the HIV response, including research.

“The HIV/AIDS response, including research and surveys such as this one, has largely been funded by partners in the past. The government of Uganda is committed to allocating more resources from our domestic budget to support the response and research,” he noted.

For the first time in the UPHIA series, the survey assessed selected noncommunicable disease indicators among people aged 15 and above: 15.5% had elevated blood pressure, 24.8% were overweight or obese, and 0.9% had raised random blood glucose. These screening findings align with the Ministry’s integration agenda and Hon. Baryomunsi’s call to bring HIV and chronic care services together to address people’s wider health needs.

Speaking at the release of the preliminary results, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mikael (Mika) Cleverley described UPHIA 2025 as the first Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment worldwide fully led and implemented by the country itself.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mikael (Mika) Cleverley highlights Ugandan leadership and U.S. support for UPHIA 2025 at the preliminary results release, Uganda Media Centre, 1 October 2026. Release of preliminary findings of the 2025 Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA 2025), a national household survey that provides a current picture of the country’s HIV response and selected non-communicable disease indicators, Ministry of Health-overall leadership, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)-prime implementing organisation, working with UVRI, UBOS, regional referral hospitals and local governments. Funded by PEPFAR through the U.S. CDC, 1st October 2026, Uganda Media Centre, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Mikael (Mika) Cleverley highlights Ugandan leadership and U.S. support for UPHIA 2025 at the preliminary results release, Uganda Media Centre, 1 October 2026.

“The study was led by Ugandan scientists, Ugandan managers, Ugandan public servants, Ugandan field teams, from design to data collection to analysis. And this is what two decades of focused strategic U.S. foreign investments in the public health sector was meant to produce, is to reinforce Ugandan leadership and Ugandan-led efforts.”

At the survey launch on 29 May 2025, MakSPH Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze highlighted the partnership’s contribution: “The partnership between Makerere University and CDC has not only helped build national capacity in surveillance and epidemiology, but has also strengthened our ability to lead high-quality, large-scale national surveys.”

MakSPH Dean Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze speaks during the UPHIA 2025 launch in Kampala, highlighting MakSPH’s contribution to Uganda’s public health response through research, evidence and technical guidance. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) reflection on long and productive partnership with the people and Government of the United States, spanning more than 35 years. Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
MakSPH Dean and UPHIA 2025 Principal Investigator Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze highlights Uganda’s capacity to lead national surveys at the survey launch on 29 May 2025.

The Dean added: “After two decades of joint work, we are proud that UPHIA is now a fully Ugandan-led effort. This is critical to the sustainability of the skills and knowledge generation to inform our local response.”

UPHIA 2025 shows how far Uganda’s HIV response has advanced and where gaps remain. As the country works towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, reaching young people with testing, treatment, and continued care will be essential to extending those gains.

MakSPH researchers, including UPHIA 2025 Activity Lead Prof. Frederick Makumbi and Project Director Dr. Sam Biraro, converse at the preliminary results release, Uganda Media Centre, 1 October 2026. Release of preliminary findings of the 2025 Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA 2025), a national household survey that provides a current picture of the country’s HIV response and selected non-communicable disease indicators, Ministry of Health-overall leadership, Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)-prime implementing organisation, working with UVRI, UBOS, regional referral hospitals and local governments. Funded by PEPFAR through the U.S. CDC, 1st October 2026, Uganda Media Centre, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
MakSPH researchers, including UPHIA 2025 Activity Lead Prof. Frederick Makumbi and Project Director Dr. Sam Biraro, converse at the preliminary results release, Uganda Media Centre, 1 October 2026.

Read the full UPHIA 2025 summary results here:

UPHIA 2025 SUMMARY SHEET

John Okeya

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Health

MakSPH reseachers calls for health data to be used in decisions

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Dr Helen Kiarie, Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Division at Kenya's Ministry of Health, delivers a keynote presentation.

Health experts from across Africa have called for stronger use of routine health data in planning, supervision and service delivery, noting that although countries are generating large amounts of health information, much of it is still not being used.

The call came during a webinar hosted by the Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) in partnership with The Global Fund under the theme “From National Dashboards to District Action: Strengthening Subnational Data Use for Planning, Supervision and Service Delivery.”

The webinar brought together health information specialists, policymakers and practitioners from Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia to share experiences and lessons on using subnational data for evidence based decision making.

Kenya’s journey from data collection to action

In her keynote address, Dr Helen Kiarie, Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Division at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, urged health practitioners and policymakers to move beyond routine reporting and use data to improve health outcomes.

“The bottleneck is no longer collecting data. It is turning routine data into decisions and decisions into action,” Dr Kiarie said.

Drawing on Kenya’s experience, she pointed to the country’s shift from paper based reporting systems to digital platforms, noting that more than 95% of public health facilities have been digitised.

According to Dr Kiarie, Kenya has developed National Data Analytics Guidelines to support evidence based decision making across the health system. The guidelines set out a structured approach to data analysis, interpretation and dissemination so that the information generated can be used.

She said building a culture of data use requires leadership that asks for evidence, regular performance reviews, public dashboards, mentorship programmes, and the integration of data into planning and budgeting.

Community data improving maternal health

Dr Kiarie gave practical examples of how data can shape health outcomes.

In Kwale County, community health promoters used household level data to identify and follow up pregnant women, encouraging them to attend antenatal care services and deliver at health facilities.

As a result, skilled birth attendance increased from 50 per cent in 2022 to 85 per cent, while reported home deliveries fell from 808 to 248.

She also pointed to Kenya’s efforts to link digital health data with health financing systems, saying better documentation and data quality have strengthened accountability and increased reimbursements to health facilities.

She added that real time maternal and perinatal death surveillance systems are helping health authorities identify gaps in care, assign responsibility and take corrective action to prevent avoidable deaths.

“Data has moved beyond documenting losses to becoming an instrument for preventing the next avoidable death,” Dr Kiarie said.

Addressing data quality challenges

Despite major investments in digital health systems, Dr Kiarie acknowledged that data quality challenges remain.

She cited system downtimes, the parallel use of paper and digital records, limited access to some digital platforms, and resistance to change among some health workers as barriers to data quality and use.

Still, she said Kenya’s data quality has improved considerably through digitisation and continued investment in governance, analytics capacity and quality assurance.

Regional experiences and lessons

The webinar also included a panel discussion with experts from Uganda, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, who shared experiences on strengthening data use at district and facility level.

The discussion pointed to the importance of strong leadership, timely information, digital infrastructure and feedback mechanisms that help health workers and managers make informed decisions with the data available.

Participants agreed that health information systems should do more than serve as reporting tools. They should also support decision making where services are delivered.

Moving from information to impact

Speaking during the webinar, Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of Makerere University School of Public Health (MAKSPH), commended countries for progress in strengthening health information systems and encouraging data use.

She urged practitioners and researchers to go beyond documenting challenges and start capturing examples of how data informed decisions are improving programmes and health outcomes.

“It would be really good for us to dig deeper in terms of what decisions we have actually made and what we would not have known or done differently if we did not have the data,” she said.

In his closing remarks, Dr Wodimu Ayele of The Global Fund said the value of data lies in its ability to improve service delivery, inform decision making and strengthen accountability.

He called on countries to keep investing in data quality, analytics capacity and health information systems, while making sure evidence generated at all levels leads to measurable improvements in health outcomes.

Allan Ainematsiko

Bachelors of Journalism and Communication

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