Researchers urge global action to find HIV cure: A call for renewed commitment

 Researchers urge global action to find HIV cure: A call for renewed commitment

 For over four decades, HIV/AIDS has remained one of the most persistent global health challenges, affecting millions of lives despite advancements in treatment and prevention.

While antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV from a fatal disease to a manageable condition, scientists have yet to find a definitive cure.

Now, researchers are intensifying their call for renewed investment, innovation, and global collaboration to accelerate the search for a permanent cure and bring an end to the epidemic.  Hope Mafaranga writes.

Researchers have called for the urgent need to conduct research on an HIV cure as HIV funding keeps on dropping.

The scientists and researchers from 11 countries who are gathering at Speke Resort Munyonyo for the joint Medical Research Council, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Uganda Virus Research Institute for the research and dissemination conference 2025 said HIV has been around for over 40 years, and it's time to embark on and strengthen on research to find an HIV cure to save millions of people who are infected.

Presenting a paper on Understanding the Uganda HIV Epidemic, Prof. Pontiano Kaleebu, the director of the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), called upon researchers to conduct research to improve the control of the HIV epidemic through prevention and care both in Uganda and Africa.

 HIV memory lane

 

Talking about the memory lane and history of HIV in Uganda, he said a national sero-survey conducted in 1987-88 put the average prevalence rates at 9% of the adult population, while in 1987, 86% of sex workers and 33% of lorry drivers studied were HIV positive, and 14% of blood donors and 15% of antenatal clinic attendees in major urban centers were also HIV positive.

 He said the first AIDS cases were identified in 1982 in Rakai District, and the virus responsible for AIDS was identified in 1983 in the country.

Prof. Kaleebu said Uganda is moving towards achieving the 95-95-95; however, the challenge is still on the first 95, where a number of people still do not know their HIV status.

 

Prof. Moffat Nyirenda (C), Director of MRC, sharing a light moment with the conference chairs Assoc. Prof. Eugene Ruzagira (L) and Assoc. Prof. Nambusi Kyegombe (R). Photo by Hope Mafaranga

Adopted by United Nations member states in June 2021, alongside ambitious targets for primary prevention and supporting enablers, the 95–95–95 HIV testing, treatment, and viral suppression aim to close the gaps in HIV treatment coverage.

 

The first 95% was to have people living with HIV know their status, the second 95% was to ensure that people who know their status are receiving treatment, and 95% of people on HIV treatment suppress their viral load.

 “HIV burden is still increasing because HIV epidemic control is not yet attained, but the rate of growth has slowed down as we approach epidemic control,” he said.

 Prof. Kaleebu said there is a trend in new HIV infection reduction, and it's time to focus on HIV cure research to eliminate the pandemic from Uganda.

 “There has been a steady drop in new HIV infections since 2010, but the rate is lower than anticipated under the UN Political Declaration. We need to bend the curve more if we are to meet the 90% drop needed before 2030. HIV cure research is where we need to go now,” he said.

 Govt applauded

 He applauded the government for its quick response, which contributed to the control of the HIV epidemic through different prevention programs and international collaborations.

 “These research collaborations have led to important discoveries that have contributed to national and global policies and new knowledge, “he said.

 He added that the introduction of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) clearly led to improved survival, adding that the future direction should aim at meeting the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat. Over 1.4 million Ugandans are estimated to be living with HIV.

 The minister of health, Dr. Jane Aceng, while opening the conference under the theme “Building on our discoveries, paving a way for a healthier future,” said there is a need to work towards an HIV cure, especially now that partners are withdrawing the funds from Uganda.

 Aceng said for over 90 years, Uganda has been at the forefront of infectious diseases research, contributing to landmark discoveries that have shaped global health policies.

 

Some of the partcipants pose for a picture with the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng. Photo by Hope Mafaranga 

“From pioneering research on viral pathogens to critical work on non-communicable diseases, we continue to demonstrate that investments in science and innovation yield invaluable returns,” she said.

 She said the government recognizes that science and technology are fundamental to the country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to both emerging and persistent health challenges.

 “This is why we remain committed to partnerships that enhance our research capacity, promote knowledge exchange, and build resilient health systems,” she said.

 

Dr. Francis Ssali, the deputy executive director at Joint Clinical Research Center (JCRC), said it's high time Uganda understands that the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will not be here forever and needs to think about a cure.

 “We need to think about how we are going to cure HIV,” he said.

The director of the Medical Research Council (MRC), Prof. Moffat Nyirenda, said finding an HIV vaccine will not be easy because the virus keeps on changing its shape.

“It is a call for a bold action. A call to break new ground, strengthen partnership, innovate, and turn research into real-world impact,” he said.

Prof. Moffat Nyirenda (C), Director of MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit (L), H. E. Tiffany Kirlew (L), Deputy High Commissioner (C), and Liam Smeeth, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), interacting during the conference break. Photo by Hope Mafaranga

Capacity building

 Dr. Sam Okware, the Director General of the Uganda National Health Research Organization, said over the years, Uganda has trained and built the capacities of health workers on disease outbreak and management.

 “We have built capacities of our workforce to manage diseases and outbreaks, and as a country, we are in a better position to handle any outbreak,” he said.

 The British deputy high commissioner to Uganda Tiffany Kirlew, expressed strong support for the long-standing collaboration between the UK, the MRC/UVRI, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

 Kirlew commended the institution for its contribution to scientific research, innovation, and outbreak response, highlighting its emergence as a regional and global authority in public health.

 She highlighted that the UK government has been a committed financial partner for over four decades, supporting ground breaking research and capacity-building efforts in Uganda.

She also acknowledged the impact of the unit on HIV-1 prevention, treatment, and training.

With the ongoing global health challenges, including the rising threat of novel pathogens, noncommunicable diseases, and the economic pressures on healthcare systems from the west, Kirlew stressed the urgent need for regional vaccine manufacturing and medical innovation to address health inequities.

She reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting research and development initiatives that enhance public health and economic resilience in Uganda and beyond.

She recognized this conference as a key platform for discussing advancements, sharing insights, and fostering partnerships.

Kirlew encouraged participants to build on past successes while seizing new opportunities to strengthen health systems, improve global health security, and drive economic growth through medical research and innovation.

H. E. Tiffany Kirlew (L), Deputy High Commissioner of the British High Commission in Kampala, with Dr. Jane Aceng, Minister of Health Uganda, at the Joint Research Dissemination conference 2025 at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala. Photo by Hope Mafaranga