At least 448 youths aged between 15 and 24, many of them university and tertiary institution students, were newly infected with HIV in 2025 in Mbarara City, raising fresh concern among health officials about the vulnerability of young people in academic institutions.
According to Dorcus Twinabaitu, the city’s HIV focal person, the infections were recorded between January and December 2025, contributing to a total of 1,678 new HIV cases registered in the city during the year.
Health data shows that young people within the 15–24 age group accounted for 448 infections, making them the second most affected group after adults aged 25–39.
The statistics further indicate that 42 children aged 0–14 years were newly infected during the same period, while 883 adults aged 25–39 recorded the highest number of infections. Another 305 infections were registered among people aged 40 and above.
Twinabaitu noted that the high number of infections among young people is particularly worrying because Mbarara hosts several universities and tertiary institutions, attracting thousands of students from across the country.
Public health experts say the campus environment can expose students to high-risk behaviours, including unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, alcohol use and limited access to consistent HIV prevention services.
They warn that many young people still underestimate their vulnerability to HIV despite ongoing awareness campaigns.
Health officials in the city are now calling for strengthened HIV prevention programs targeting youths, especially in higher institutions of learning.
These interventions include increased HIV testing, condom distribution, sexual health education, and youth-friendly health services to help reduce new infections among the student population.
Twinabaitu emphasized that addressing infections among young people is critical to controlling the broader HIV epidemic.
“Protecting young people from HIV is essential because they represent the future workforce and leadership of the country,” she said.
Health authorities in Uganda continue to urge youths, especially those on campuses, to know their HIV status, practice safe sex, and seek early treatment when necessary as part of the national effort to reduce new infections.
