The Executive Director of Iteso Cultural Union Development Foundation (ICUDEF), Dr. Eriaku Peter Emmanuel, has sounded the alarm on the escalating HIV/AIDS crisis in the Teso sub-region, particularly in Soroti City, where the prevalence rate has hit a staggering 12.5%, more than double the national average of 5.1%.
Dr. Eriaku made the revelation during a high-level engagement with the Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS held today at Soroti City Hall.
The committee is chaired by Hon. Sarah Kayagi, who led a delegation of lawmakers to assess and discuss the HIV situation in Eastern Uganda.
“This is a time bomb,” Dr. Eriaku warned. “Teso is at a critical point in the HIV epidemic. If we do not act now with urgency and innovation, we risk reversing the gains made nationally in HIV prevention and control.”
To combat this crisis, ICUDEF is introducing two major community-based initiatives aimed at culturally resonant HIV prevention and care among the Ateker communities.
The first, dubbed the Paternity Advancement Programme for Ateker, is designed to engage men more actively in parenting and HIV health-seeking behaviors, including testing and treatment adherence.
The second, the Maternity Advanced Movement for Ateker, focuses on empowering women in maternal health, HIV prevention, and treatment, particularly targeting expectant mothers and young women of reproductive age.
Both programs are tailored to address the unique cultural and social dynamics of the Ateker people to ensure effectiveness and community acceptance.
“These are not generic programs,” Dr. Eriaku emphasized. “They are rooted in the cultural values of Ateker and aim to improve health outcomes by strengthening parenting roles and gender-sensitive interventions.”
He commended the AIDS Information Centre (AIC) for their ongoing efforts in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Ministry of Health, which have enabled comprehensive community-based outreach programs in 122 identified HIV hotspots across Soroti City. Through this initiative, a digital TB van has been deployed to provide integrated screening services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and non-communicable diseases, significantly enhancing early detection and linkage to care.
“The digital TB van is a game-changer,” Dr. Eriaku said. “It brings services closer to the people, especially in hard-to-reach urban communities where stigma and lack of information remain major barriers.”
He noted that these integrated services, supported by international and government funding, complement ICUDEF’s tailored programs and collectively contribute to the national agenda of reducing new HIV infections and improving quality of life for people living with the virus.
The launch of ICUDEF’s programs aligns with broader community health efforts led by cultural leader Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Etomeileng, who has championed behavioral change, stigma reduction, and community mobilization in the Ateker-speaking regions of Eastern and Northeastern Uganda.
“Our cultural institutions are vital partners,” Dr. Eriaku added. “Their voices carry weight, and their involvement helps foster ownership of the HIV response at the grassroots level.”
During the meeting, Hon. Sarah Kayagi praised ICUDEF and its partners for their proactive and culturally sensitive approach to the HIV/AIDS crisis. She reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to lobbying for increased government funding and policy backing for localized interventions.
“What we are witnessing in Soroti and the larger Teso sub-region is deeply concerning,” Hon. Kayagi said. “It calls for collective responsibility from Parliament, the health sector, civil society, and local leaders. We must invest in programs that work for the communities most affected.”
The engagement at Soroti City Hall concluded with a resolution to strengthen multisectoral collaboration and increase visibility and funding for community-specific HIV interventions in the 2025/2026 national budget.
As the country aims to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by 2030, stakeholders at today’s meeting agreed that without immediate, targeted action in high-prevalence regions like Teso, Uganda’s fight against HIV/AIDS could face major setbacks.
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