Uganda’s HIV Hotspots: What the Numbers Mean for University Students

KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda continues to face a significant HIV challenge among young people, with new figures highlighting the disproportionate impact on young women and raising questions about prevention in university communities. According to figures reported by the Uganda AIDS Commission in November, Uganda recorded approximately 34,400 new HIV infections in 2025, with young people aged 15–24 accounting for about 13,000 of them. Young women represented the majority of infections in this age group

University Towns Under the Spotlight

Recent reporting identifies several urban centres with HIV prevalence above the national average

Mbarara also warrants attention. City health officials reported 1,678 new infections in 2025, including 448 among people aged 15–24. The city hosts Mbarara University of Science and Technology. These figures describe the wider urban populations, not students at the named universities. They do not establish which university has the highest HIV prevalence

Why Students Should Pay Attention

University life can bring greater independence, new relationships and financial pressures. Access to accurate health information, confidential testing and effective prevention services is therefore essential. The disproportionate impact on young women also highlights the importance of addressing economic vulnerability, unequal power in relationships and sexual coercion alongside individual prevention choices. Universities can help by strengthening confidential testing referrals, HIV prevention education, awareness of PrEP and access to counselling without stigmatising students living with HIV.

The Bigger Picture

Uganda’s latest figures show that the HIV burden varies by location, but more campus-specific research is needed to understand the situation among university students themselves. For now, the priority is clear: expand access to reliable information, testing, prevention and treatment while protecting students’ privacy. The goal should not be to label particular universities as HIV hotspots, but to ensure that every student can access the services and support needed to protect their health.

Sources: Nile Post — Young people and HIV in Uganda · Nile Post — Mbarara’s 2025 figures

Campus360 note: Citywide HIV statistics should not be interpreted as prevalence figures for individual universities or their students.