Uganda is facing a worsening condom shortage as high inspection fees continue to hinder the importation of donated supplies, health activists warn.
The National Drug Authority (NDA) mandates inspections for all imported condoms to ensure quality before distribution.
While importation fees on medical supplies, including condoms, were scrapped, the costly inspection fees remain a significant barrier.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) – Uganda Cares Country Programs Director Henry Magala argues that these fees deter organisations from importing condoms intended for free distribution.
“When medical supplies are donated for public use, imposing fees only discourages importers. We urge the NDA to waive these inspection fees to aid HIV prevention efforts,” Magala said.
Magala revealed that his organization pays over UGX 300,000 per batch, amounting to UGX 5 million for every two million condoms imported.
Since 2009, they have brought in over 50 million condoms, but the financial strain of these fees limits their ability to supply more.
“Condoms provide up to 95% protection against HIV. However, many Ugandans still fail to access them, exacerbating new infections,” he added.
Boniface Epuku, Program Lead for Condom Programming at the Ministry of Health, emphasises that condom use remains a critical tool in reducing HIV infections.
With international funding cuts for HIV treatment, he argues that Uganda must prioritize prevention through wider condom accessibility.
Epuku reassured that the Ministry remains committed to procuring and distributing condoms nationwide, including additional dispensers.
“The government distributes around 200 million condoms annually, but more efforts are needed to address the supply gap amid funding constraints,” he said.
Since 2024, condom shortages have been widely reported, with many health centers running out of stock.
Some individuals in remote areas, such as islands and fishing communities, have resorted to risky alternatives like reusing condoms or using polythene bags.
Uganda recently observed World Condom Day in Kalungu, a district in the Greater Masaka Region, which records some of the country’s highest HIV prevalence rates among adults aged 15–49.
According to Uganda Aids Commission statistics, HIV prevalence rates in key districts are: Kalangala (13.1%), Kyotera (12.2%), Masaka City (11.2%), Kalungu (9.9%), Masaka (9.2%), Bukomansimbi (9.1%), Lwengo (8.4%), Lyantonde (8.3%), Sembabule (6.2%), and Rakai (5.2%).
As pressure mounts, health advocates insist that removing financial obstacles to condom importation is crucial in strengthening Uganda’s fight against HIV.
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