Lango has the highest rate of male partner involvement in Uganda’s services aimed at preventing HIV transmission from mothers to their babies, with men reached at a rate more than eight times higher than in Busoga, according to the Ministry of Health’s latest performance review.
The Lango region reached 40% of male partners through elimination of vertical transmission services between April and June 2026, the highest rate recorded nationally. That compares with 32% in Acholi, 27% in Teso and 24% in Ankole.
The difference is even wider in regions struggling with male involvement. Male partner reach was 9% in Kampala, 8% in Bukedi and just 5% in Busoga.
Lango’s performance is part of a broader pattern. The region recorded an average 83.4% across maternal HIV indicators, placing it among the better-performing regions nationally. The review attributes this performance to a well-coordinated approach that combines HIV screening and antiretroviral treatment coverage with high viral-load suppression.
The figures matter because involving male partners can potentially strengthen the support women receive during pregnancy and HIV care. But the Ministry’s data also show that Uganda still has substantial gaps in services involving male partners.
For example, only 8% of male partners who tested positive for syphilis received treatment nationally during the reporting period.
The Lango figures therefore offer an opportunity to look beyond the national averages and ask what is happening differently in the region.
Is male involvement being built into antenatal care? Are health workers actively inviting partners? Are community leaders involved? Are services offered at times and locations that make it easier for men to participate? Or are there particular approaches being used by health facilities that other regions could adopt?
The performance review does not provide those answers. It establishes the gap — but not the reason for Lango’s stronger performance.
That makes the region worth investigating.
A comparison with Busoga is particularly striking. While Lango achieved 40% male partner reach, Busoga reached only 5% and recorded an overall maternal HIV indicator score of 59%, with the Ministry identifying weaknesses in areas including syphilis treatment.
The question now is whether Lango’s experience can provide practical lessons for regions where men remain largely outside maternal HIV services.
