Health officials and community leaders in Pakwach District are raising a serious alarm over a dramatic surge in HIV prevalence among young people, with girls and young women being the most affected.
A new report reveals that infections among residents aged 10 to 24 have jumped by nearly 2,000 cases in just one year, signaling a deepening public health crisis.
According to data presented by District Biostatistician James Omito, the total number of HIV cases in this age group rose from 4,060 to 6,044 between July 2024 and July 2025. While there was a welcome decline in new infections among the youngest adolescents (10-14 years), the figures for older teens and young adults paint a grim picture.
The most shocking increase was among women aged 20 to 24, where new infections nearly doubled from 994 to 1,977 in a single year. Cases also rose sharply among teenage girls aged 15 to 19, increasing from 1,193 to 1,621.
Health workers on the front lines attribute the escalating crisis to a combination of social and economic pressures. Vincent Binega Jalusene, the officer in charge of Pakia Health Centre II, identified poverty, unemployment, transactional sex, and cross-generational relationships as key factors making young girls especially vulnerable. He also warned that the problem may be even larger than reported, as many people may not know their HIV status, posing a further risk to the community.
The impact of the crisis is already being felt by the next generation. The report revealed that in the past year, 270 babies were born to HIV-positive mothers, a significant increase from 175 the previous year, placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system.
With youth making up over 55 percent of the district’s population, leaders are calling for immediate and collective action. Jessica Ongiertho, the Pakwach District Chief Executive Officer, described the situation as a “heavy burden on government and society”. Cultural leaders and health officials are urging parents to intensify guidance, discipline, and sex education to protect their children.
