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ADJUMANI REDUCES HIV CASES FROM 400 TO 225.

By Bazio Doreen.Adjumani District Local Government has intensified efforts to combat HIV/AIDS following new data showing that women and young people account for the majority of new HIV infections recorded in the district, despite significant progress in reducing overall transmission rates.The concern emerged during a district stakeholders' engagement on HIV/AIDS that brought together government leaders, health workers, development partners, civil society organizations, and representatives of people living with HIV to review progress and strengthen strategies aimed at achieving Uganda's goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.According to the District HIV/AIDS Focal Person, Inyani Dolorence, Adjumani has reduced annual new HIV infections from more than 400 cases in previous years to 225 cases currently, demonstrating the impact of sustained investments in prevention, testing, treatment, and community awareness programmes.However, she noted that the latest data reveals that women and young people remain disproportionately affected."Out of the 225 new HIV infections registered in the district, 65 percent are among women and girls, while 30 percent are among young people aged 15 to 29 years. This calls for targeted prevention interventions focusing on these vulnerable groups," Inyani said.The district data mirrors national trends. According to the Uganda AIDS Commission, Uganda reduced annual new HIV infections from 96,000 in 2010 to approximately 37,000 in 2024, while AIDS-related deaths declined from 56,000 to 20,000 during the same period. The country has also made substantial progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, with 94 percent of people living with HIV aware of their status, 90 percent on treatment, and 96 percent of those on treatment achieving viral suppression.Despite these gains, national statistics continue to show that women and girls carry a disproportionate burden of new infections. Recent reports indicate that women account for approximately two-thirds of new HIV infections in Uganda, with adolescent girls and young women remaining among the most vulnerable populations.Within Adjumani District, Adjumani Town Council registered the highest number of new infections at 67 cases, prompting district leaders to call for enhanced community mobilization and targeted prevention campaigns.The Chairperson of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Adjumani District, Opi Leonard, emphasized the importance of retaining clients in care and strengthening community support systems to ensure that people diagnosed with HIV remain on treatment.He noted that cases of treatment interruption continue to undermine efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission and reduce new infections.Stakeholders also discussed the unique challenges facing border districts such as Adjumani, including population mobility, refugee movements, and difficulties in tracking clients who relocate across international borders.Apio Ruth Sharon Baru urged stakeholders to strengthen community education and behavioral change communication, observing that many young people no longer perceive HIV as a major threat.She emphasized the need for sustained awareness campaigns to ensure communities understand that while treatment is available, prevention remains the most effective strategy for ending new infections.Speaking at the engagement, Adjumani Resident District Commissioner, Toko Swaib, reaffirmed government commitment to ending HIV/AIDS and called upon all sectors to play an active role in the response."The fight against HIV/AIDS is a collective responsibility. It cannot be left to the health sector alone. Every government department, institution, community leader, family, and individual has a role to play if we are to achieve the national target of ending HIV by 2030," he said.Uganda currently records an estimated 100 new HIV infections every day, according to the Uganda AIDS Commission, underscoring the need for sustained prevention efforts, especially among women, youth, and other vulnerable populations. National HIV prevalence among adults currently stands at approximately 4.9 percent.The stakeholders' meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthen HIV prevention, testing, treatment adherence, and community awareness programmes across Adjumani District. Particular emphasis was placed on empowering women and young people with accurate information, expanding access to prevention services, and improving follow-up mechanisms for people living with HIV.District leaders expressed confidence that with continued government leadership, community participation, and support from development partners, Adjumani can contribute significantly to Uganda's national aspiration of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.END.

ADJUMANI DISTRICT INTENSIFIES ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION EFFORTS, MARKS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY.

By Bazio Doreen,Adjumani District Local Government has reaffirmed its commitment to environmental conservation and climate resilience through the establishment of a 2.5-acre woodlot at Elegu Primary School in Arinyapi Sub-county as part of activities marking World Environment Day 2026.The district-led initiative brought together political leaders, technical officers, development partners, teachers, learners, and community members in a tree-planting exercise aimed at restoring degraded ecosystems and promoting sustainable environmental management.Speaking during the event, the District Natural Resources Officer, Mr. Giyaya Charles, noted that environmental degradation remains one of the key challenges facing Adjumani District due to increasing demand for land, firewood, charcoal production, and settlement expansion.He explained that the district has embarked on a campaign to plant approximately 2,000 trees in schools, institutions, and communities to support ecosystem restoration and strengthen climate resilience."Tree planting is one of the most practical interventions for addressing environmental degradation. Beyond restoring ecosystems, trees help improve soil fertility, protect water sources, sequester carbon, and support livelihoods," Mr. Giyaya said.According to Uganda's forestry records, the country experienced a significant decline in forest cover from approximately 24 percent in 1990 to about 12 percent by 2017, largely due to deforestation and land-use change. While recent restoration efforts have contributed to gradual recovery in some areas, government agencies continue to emphasize the need for sustained conservation and reforestation programmes.The Chairperson of Adjumani District Local Government, Hon. Anyanzo John Ambayo, said the district's environmental restoration efforts directly support Uganda's national climate change commitments and sustainable development priorities."Environmental protection is not only about conserving nature; it is also about protecting livelihoods, food security, and the future of our communities. Every tree planted today contributes to a healthier and more resilient Adjumani," he said.Hon. Ambayo further urged schools and communities to take ownership of the planted trees to ensure their survival and long-term environmental benefits.The Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Toko Swaib, emphasized that climate change is increasingly affecting communities across Uganda through prolonged dry spells, erratic rainfall patterns, floods, and declining agricultural productivity."Climate change is no longer a future threat. It is already affecting our communities and livelihoods. We must all take responsibility by restoring our environment and adopting sustainable practices," he said.The district's initiative aligns with Uganda's broader climate action agenda under the National Climate Change Act, 2021, and the country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which seek to strengthen climate resilience, increase forest cover, and promote sustainable natural resource management.Nationally, Uganda has registered progress in ecosystem restoration. Recent government reports indicate that wetland coverage has recovered from 8.9 percent in the early 2020s to 13.9 percent by 2025 following targeted restoration interventions. Similar efforts are being implemented across the country to restore forests, wetlands, and other critical ecosystems.This year's World Environment Day was commemorated under Uganda's national theme, "Climate Action Begins with You: Act Now," which calls upon citizens, institutions, and communities to take practical steps toward addressing climate change and safeguarding the environment for future generations.As Uganda prepares to host the National World Environment Day celebrations in Adjumani District in 2026, the district has positioned itself as a key contributor to national efforts aimed at restoring ecosystems, promoting climate action, and building a greener and more sustainable future.END.

ADJUMANI DISTRICT STRENGTHENS EBOLA PREPAREDNESS, SUSPENDS PUBLIC GATHERINGS.

By Bazio Doreen.Adjumani District Local Government has intensified Ebola preparedness and prevention measures as Uganda continues to strengthen its response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).The renewed efforts were reaffirmed during a District Ebola Task Force meeting held at the Office of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) on 8th June 2026, bringing together district leaders, health officials, refugee response agencies, security personnel, and development partners to review preparedness measures and coordinate response actions.The meeting follows the Ministry of Health's heightened surveillance and preparedness campaign across the country after Uganda recorded 19 confirmed Ebola cases and two confirmed deaths linked to cross-border transmission from the DRC. According to the World Health Organization, all confirmed cases reported in Uganda have been linked to imported infections or secondary transmission, with no documented community transmission recorded in the country as of early June 2026.As part of precautionary measures, the District Ebola Task Force resolved to temporarily suspend large public gatherings, including weddings, funeral ceremonies, and major religious events, while strengthening surveillance at community and health facility levels.Speaking during the meeting, the District Ebola Task Force Focal Person, Olony Paul, emphasized that preparedness remains the district's most effective tool in protecting lives and preventing the spread of the disease."Adjumani remains vigilant. Our priority is to ensure that communities are informed, health facilities are prepared, and response systems are fully operational should the need arise," he said.The district's preparedness efforts build on Uganda's long-standing experience in managing public health emergencies. In 2025, Uganda successfully contained and ended a Sudan Ebola Virus Disease outbreak after recording 14 cases and four deaths, demonstrating the effectiveness of coordinated surveillance, rapid response, contact tracing, and community engagement systems.As one of Uganda's largest refugee-hosting districts, Adjumani continues to occupy a strategic position in the country's public health preparedness framework. The district hosts more than 250,000 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from South Sudan, and experiences significant cross-border movement that requires continuous vigilance and coordinated disease surveillance.The Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Lulu Henry Leku, highlighted the need to further strengthen district preparedness capacity through the provision of emergency response equipment and medical supplies."We must ensure that frontline health workers are adequately equipped. Personal protective equipment, isolation facilities, diagnostic supplies, and emergency response resources remain critical components of our preparedness strategy," he noted.The Refugee Desk Officer, Abina Polyene Irene, called for continued collaboration among government institutions, humanitarian organizations, community leaders, and development partners operating within the district.She also emphasized that protecting communities from public health threats requires collective action and sustained cooperation among all stakeholders.The current Ebola outbreak in the DRC continues to pose a regional public health concern. The World Health Organization reports that more than 500 confirmed cases and over 90 deaths have been recorded in the neighboring country, prompting intensified preparedness efforts across countries in the region. WHO and Africa CDC have launched a continental preparedness and response plan worth US$518 million to support affected and at-risk countries.In recent months, Adjumani District has undertaken several preparedness interventions, including activation of the District Ebola Task Force, strengthening disease surveillance systems, enhancing risk communication and community awareness, and engaging health workers and partners in emergency preparedness planning.The District Local Government has reassured residents, refugees, and development partners that no confirmed Ebola case has been reported in Adjumani District. Surveillance teams remain on alert, and health facilities have been directed to maintain strict infection prevention and control measures.Residents are encouraged to remain calm, observe proper hygiene practices, avoid unnecessary physical contact with suspected cases, and promptly report any individual exhibiting symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding.Adjumani District Local Government remains committed to safeguarding the health and well-being of all residents through proactive preparedness, strong partnerships, and effective public health response mechanisms.END.