By Malik Fahad Jjingo
Health activists under AHF Uganda Cares are urging the government to waive all charges on imported condoms, including verification fees, to ensure unrestricted access to free condoms in the country.
According to AHF Uganda Cares Country Programs Director, Henry Magala, while Uganda has already exempted condoms from import taxes, organizations bringing in free supplies are still burdened with verification fees imposed by regulatory bodies.
“Although the government removed import taxes, the National Drug Authority (NDA) continues to charge verification fees, which discourages donors from importing free condoms,” Magala stated. “These fees may not seem like much, but even the smallest charges on essential medical supplies can deter partners willing to support Uganda’s condom distribution efforts.”
The activists argue that lifting these fees would boost the availability of condoms, particularly in underserved communities where stockouts remain common. Magala revealed that AHF Uganda Cares spends over UGX 300,000 per batch—approximately UGX 5 million for every 2 million condoms imported. Since 2009, the organization has imported over 50 million condoms to supplement Uganda’s national supply.
Despite these efforts, activists warn that complacency in condom use is fueling new HIV infections. Magala emphasized that condoms offer triple protection—against HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unplanned pregnancies—yet their usage is declining.
“We are still seeing high numbers of new infections because people are neglecting condom use, despite its 95% protection rate. International Condom Day should serve as a reminder to intensify awareness campaigns,” he urged.
Declining Condom Use in Kalungu District Raises Alarm
In Kalungu District, health officials are increasingly concerned about low condom uptake, which threatens to worsen the district’s HIV prevalence rate.
According to Kalungu District Health Officer, the most affected areas include Lwabenge, Kalungu Town Council, and Lukaya Town Council, where new infection “black spots” are emerging.
“We are considering allocating part of our HIV prevention budget to purchase condom dispensers and condoms for these high-risk areas. If left unchecked, these hotspots could become breeding grounds for new infections,” the health officer warned.
To strengthen HIV prevention efforts, AHF Uganda Cares has established a new Kalungu Wellness Center, a specialized facility for STI treatment. Dr. Cecilia Nattembo, the organization’s Regional Medical Director, urged the public to take advantage of these services and adopt comprehensive HIV prevention strategies, particularly ahead of Valentine’s weekend.
“As we fight HIV, we must also fight STIs. Our new wellness centers in Kalungu and Kampala will provide comprehensive testing and treatment services, ensuring that communities have access to quality healthcare,” Dr. Nattembo stated.
Government Calls for Condom Use Amid Funding Cuts
The Ministry of Health, in partnership with AHF Uganda Cares, dedicated this year’s International Condom Day to raising awareness in high-risk areas like Kalungu.
According to Boniface Epuku, the Ministry’s Program Lead for Condom Programming, condoms remain the most cost-effective HIV prevention tool, especially as global funding for HIV treatment declines.
“With impending cuts to HIV funding, we must return to the basics—consistent and correct condom use. The Ministry is committed to ensuring availability and is procuring 10,000 new condom dispensers to improve accessibility in high-risk areas, including Kalungu,” Epuku announced.
He further urged community and religious leaders to become advocates for condom use, as some communities have become lax in HIV prevention efforts.
“Effective condom use is the best tool we have to stop new infections. Government currently procures 200 million condoms annually, but with declining funding, we must increase distribution efforts to ensure no community is left behind,” he concluded.
The renewed calls to remove verification fees on imported condoms highlight the urgent need to strengthen Uganda’s condom distribution network amid growing HIV infection rates and shrinking donor support.