By Fred Kayongo
African scientists are calling on governments to invest in HIV cure research, saying the continent must move beyond serving as a testing ground for scientific discoveries and become a leader in developing a cure.
The appeal was made during the 2026 HIV Research Community Symposium in Kampala, where researchers said Africa, despite carrying the world’s highest HIV burden, continues to play a limited role in shaping the global HIV cure research agenda.
Dr. Albert Machinda, co-principal investigator and head of the secretariat of the Africa HIV Cure Consortium, said Africa is home to about 65% of people living with HIV, making it essential for the continent to take a leading role in the search for a cure.
“HIV cure research has largely been driven by institutions in the Global North, not because Africa lacks scientific expertise, but because many governments have yet to prioritize the field through policy support and sustained investment,” Machinda said.
He urged governments to include HIV cure research in national strategic plans, develop policies that encourage scientific innovation and create an enabling environment for researchers and communities affected by HIV.
Machinda identified inadequate domestic funding as one of the biggest obstacles to advancing HIV cure research. He said African countries should reduce their dependence on external donors by increasing local investment while strengthening collaborations with international partners.
He also called for coordinated action at national and continental levels, saying regional advocacy must be backed by supportive government policies, effective regulatory systems and investment in research capacity.
Although there is no widely available cure for HIV, Machinda said recent scientific advances show that one is possible. He noted that at least 10 people worldwide have been cured of HIV through highly specialized treatments, although those approaches are not yet practical for widespread use.
Researchers, he said, are making significant progress in understanding how HIV persists in the body, how the immune system responds to the virus and how new therapies could eliminate or permanently suppress it. He expressed optimism that clinical trials of emerging cure strategies could begin in the coming years.
However, Machinda said Africa must play a greater role in developing and testing these innovations rather than remaining primarily a site for evaluating products developed elsewhere.
He also urged governments to strengthen partnerships with universities, researchers, the private sector and communities affected by HIV to increase public awareness and build support for investment in cure research.
Empowering people living with HIV to advocate for a cure, he added, would help governments recognize HIV cure research as a national priority and ensure that future interventions address Africa’s unique needs.
Dr. George Ssenyange, a research scientist specializing in HIV and sickle cell disease at the Joint Clinical Research Centre, cautioned that a widely available HIV cure is still years away.
Until then, he said, antiretroviral therapy remains the most effective tool for controlling the epidemic.
Ssenyange said Uganda has made significant progress in expanding access to antiretroviral treatment but stressed that patients must continue taking their medication to sustain those gains.
He said efforts are underway to ensure that future HIV cure technologies are developed and made accessible in Africa instead of remaining concentrated in wealthier countries.
With more than 25 million people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, Ssenyange said African scientists and research institutions must play a central role in developing and delivering future HIV cure interventions.
Moses Nsubuga, an HIV advocate popularly known as “Super Charger,” urged people living with HIV to continue taking their antiretroviral medicines and not stop treatment unless they are enrolled in an approved HIV cure study under close medical supervision.
“Antiretroviral therapy remains the cornerstone of HIV treatment,” Nsubuga said. “People should never discontinue their medication without guidance from qualified health professionals.”
