Activity Overview
On 19 June 2026, the Health Journalists Network in Uganda (HEJNU), with support from HEPS Uganda, convened a half-day Media Science Café at Court Lane Hotel in Masaka City. The café brought together 21 journalists from radio, television, print, online, and digital media across the Greater Masaka region to strengthen their understanding of the rollout of injectable Lenacapavir (LEN) for HIV prevention.
The session was coordinated by HEJNU regional coordinators Malik Fahad Jjingo and Davis Buyondo and featured technical experts from the Ministry of Health, Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), and Masaka District Local Government.
Presenters
- Robert Bbosa – Regional Biomedical Prevention Services Specialist
- Dr. Faith Nakiyimba – District Health Officer, Masaka
- Ruth Nansikombi – Prevention Team Lead, Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Masaka
- Nagawa Dympnah – Senior Medical Clinical Officer, Bukeri Health Centre IV
Key Discussion Points
The café focused on the national rollout of injectable Lenacapavir, Uganda’s newest HIV prevention option administered once every six months for individuals at substantial risk of acquiring HIV. Journalists were introduced to the science behind the medicine, its effectiveness, eligibility criteria, advantages, possible side effects, and how it complements existing HIV prevention interventions.
Robert Bbosa and Ruth Nansikombi provided an overview of Uganda’s HIV epidemic and the country’s combination HIV prevention strategy. They explained that although Uganda has made significant progress in reducing new HIV infections, additional prevention options are needed to achieve the national target of ending new HIV infections by 2030.
Participants learned that Lenacapavir joins other biomedical HIV prevention options, including oral PrEP, injectable Cabotegravir, the Dapivirine vaginal ring, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), voluntary medical male circumcision, and condom use.
The presenters explained that Lenacapavir offers several advantages, including twice-yearly dosing, high effectiveness, greater privacy for users, and improved adherence for individuals who struggle to take daily medication. They also discussed potential limitations, including the need for regular follow-up appointments and careful client selection in accordance with national guidelines.
Rollout in the Masaka Region
The presenters outlined the preparations undertaken before introducing Lenacapavir in Masaka, including training health workers, conducting facility readiness assessments, engaging community partners, and implementing public awareness activities.
Dr. Faith Nakiyimba explained that Greater Masaka was selected among the first regions for rollout because of its high HIV burden and the presence of populations at increased risk of HIV infection, including fishing communities, truck drivers, mobile populations, adolescents, and sex workers.
She emphasized that Lenacapavir is expected to strengthen existing HIV prevention efforts but noted that it should be offered alongside other proven prevention interventions. Journalists were encouraged to communicate that the new injectable does not replace existing HIV prevention methods but expands the range of choices available to individuals at risk.
LENACAPAVIR SUPPLIES TO SITES IN PHASE 1
Other HIV Prevention Innovations
The café also highlighted other innovations supporting Uganda’s HIV response, including HIV self-testing, community-based antiretroviral treatment delivery, digital adherence support, and long-acting HIV prevention options currently being introduced or evaluated. Participants discussed how these innovations can improve access to prevention and treatment services while reducing stigma and improving adherence.
Interactive Discussion
Journalists engaged the experts in discussions on the rollout strategy, community awareness, eligibility for Lenacapavir, myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV prevention, and the importance of communicating accurate information to the public.
HEJNU coordinators encouraged journalists to develop stories highlighting the introduction of Lenacapavir, the experiences of communities receiving the intervention, and the broader efforts to reduce new HIV infections.
Outcomes
The Media Science Café strengthened journalists’ understanding of injectable Lenacapavir and Uganda’s HIV prevention strategy. Participants gained access to technical experts and current evidence that will support accurate, balanced, and evidence-based reporting on HIV prevention.
The engagement also strengthened collaboration between journalists, researchers, and district health officials, creating opportunities for continued engagement as the rollout progresses. Journalists left the café with story ideas and expert contacts to support ongoing reporting on HIV prevention in the Greater Masaka region.
Recommendations
Participants recommended:
- Continued media engagement on emerging HIV prevention technologies.
- Increased public awareness campaigns on Lenacapavir and other HIV prevention options.
- Continued collaboration between journalists, researchers, and district health officials.
- Support for follow-up reporting through story grants and mentorship.
- Sustained community sensitization to address misinformation and improve uptake of HIV prevention services.
Masaka regional convenors, Malik Fahad and Davies Beyond, discussed with the journalists some of the story ideas they could get out of the topics the guests had discussed during the café.
The journalists that attended the café also applauded HEJNU and the funder HEPS for the science cafés saying that continuous engagements of journalists with scientist not only creates good relations between the two groups but also gives journalists a chance of having experts they can run to address the challenge of false and miss information about several interventions used to fight against HIV as the country approaches 2030.
