The leadership of the Forum for People Living with HIV/AIDS in Zombo District has raised the alarm over a worrying trend: individuals living with HIV are reportedly turning to excessive alcohol consumption due to misinformation about funding cuts to the AIDS Commission by the U.S. government.
In January 2025, the Trump administration announced the suspension of billions of dollars in federal aid under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), triggering global concern about the future of HIV/AIDS programmes.
Despite the abrupt decision, President Yoweri Museveni reassured Ugandans last month that the country would remain unaffected by the withdrawal of U.S. aid, seeking to calm growing fears across the continent.
However, the Zombo Forum for People Living with HIV/AIDS says this message has been misinterpreted by many of its over 4,000 members.
The trend of heavy drinking is particularly widespread in Padea and Warr Town Councils, where some individuals have been heard saying, “We are now going to die because the drugs are no longer available.”
Collins Canudwoga, Chairperson of the Forum, confirmed these reports in an interview on Monday, April 7, 2025.
He expressed deep concern and stressed the need for urgent public education by peer educators and health experts to counter the false information.
“We have sufficient stocks of antiretroviral (ARV) medications to meet current needs,” Canudwoga said, urging members not to fall victim to unverified rumours.
“We are receiving reports from peer educators across the district that many individuals are living in fear and turning to alcohol out of frustration, believing they will die due to the U.S. government’s funding cuts,” he said. “This stems from misinformation, and I want to assure my people that we have enough ARVs in stock.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), harmful alcohol use accounts for 6.9% of the global disease burden among men and 2.0% among women. It is a leading risk factor for premature mortality and disability among people aged 20–39, contributing to 13% of deaths in this age group.
Vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, including people living with HIV, face elevated rates of alcohol-related mortality and hospitalisation.
To mitigate these risks in Zombo, Canudwoga urged individuals to avoid excessive drinking, adhere to their ARV regimens, monitor their health regularly, and practice safe sex by consistently using condoms.
Health experts warn that for people living with HIV, alcohol misuse can reduce adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), accelerate disease progression, and increase susceptibility to opportunistic infections and other comorbidities.
Zombo’s Assistant Resident District Commissioner, Bruno Manano, called for responsible use of media and communication platforms.
He urged local leaders to provide timely updates through accessible channels to dispel misinformation, which he described as increasingly pervasive.
How Alcohol Harms People Living with HIV
Experts highlight several key ways alcohol consumption adversely affects people living with HIV:
- Reduced Adherence to ART: Excessive drinking disrupts consistent medication use, which is critical for viral suppression and preventing transmission.
- Accelerated HIV Progression: Research shows heavy alcohol use weakens the immune system and hastens disease progression.
- Increased Risk of Comorbidities: Alcohol exacerbates liver disease, cardiovascular conditions, and susceptibility to infections.
- Risky Sexual Behaviours: Alcohol misuse is linked to unprotected sex, increasing the risk of HIV transmission and co-infections.
- Non-Disclosure of HIV Status: Alcohol can impair judgement, making it less likely for individuals to disclose their HIV status to sexual partners.
Alcohol, a psychoactive substance with addictive properties, is deeply embedded in social and cultural settings. Its frequent use often masks its significant health and social consequences.
The WHO estimates that alcohol contributes to 2.6 million deaths globally each year and accounts for 4.7% of the global disease burden.
Uganda continues to carry a heavy HIV burden, with approximately 1.5 million people living with the virus. Despite improved access to treatment, new infections and AIDS-related deaths remain high.
The Uganda AIDS Commission has developed a sustainability roadmap to fight HIV/AIDS, and with just five years left until the 2030 global target to end AIDS as a public health threat, its role is more important than ever.
President Museveni has repeatedly cautioned Ugandans against “reckless living” during his annual World AIDS Day addresses.
Globally, AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 69% since their peak in 2004 and by 51% since 2010. In 2023, an estimated 630,000 people (range: 500,000–820,000) died from AIDS-related illnesses, down from 2.1 million in 2004 and 1.3 million in 2010.
