Health workers in Kalangala District have raised concern that excessive alcohol consumption is undermining efforts to prevent HIV in the island district.
They say widespread alcoholism is driving risky sexual behaviour and weakening community commitment to HIV prevention.
Edinance Nalubega, in-charge of the ART clinic at Lulamba Health Centre III in Bufumira Sub-county, says many young people engage in unprotected sex while intoxicated.
“Alcohol makes people ignore preventive measures, exposing them to a higher risk of HIV infection,” she said.
According to the Uganda AIDS Commission, Kalangala has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the country at 13 percent—more than double the national average of 5.3 percent. Although the rate has declined from about 21 percent eight years ago, progress has stalled, largely due to persistent alcohol abuse.
Nalubega says health workers are struggling to convince alcohol users to consistently adopt prevention methods, leading to new infections, especially among adolescents. She adds that some patients on antiretroviral therapy fail to adhere to treatment because of alcohol use, affecting viral suppression.
District records show that about 15,000 people are currently on treatment, but health workers warn that continued alcohol abuse could derail efforts to end new infections by 2030.
William Kyambadde says growing complacency and misconceptions among young people are reversing earlier gains.
Residents, including Moses Kato, Fred Mulindwa, and Florence Nakibuuka, are now calling for urgent action, including targeted interventions to tackle alcohol abuse and strengthen HIV prevention in high-risk communities.
