The future of person-centred HIV prevention: Latest evidence from the African continent

Lillian Mworeko holds a Master’s in institutional management and leadership from the Uganda Management Institute, a diploma in leadership and management from Management Sciences for Health, a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) from Makerere University, and a diploma in secondary education from Kyambogo University, Kampala.

She is the Executive Director for the International Community of Women living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA), the Co-host of the Africa Women Prevention Community Accountability Board, and the Lead Implementer of Community-Led Monitoring in Uganda in a consortium of three organisations (ICWEA, Sexual Minorities Uganda and Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development Uganda).

“I will always lend my voice to issues and priorities that advance human rights and access to comprehensive services for all. Every issue is my issue. It doesn’t matter whether I am the beneficiary or not! I will not tire of advancing person-centred prevention and care – we owe it to our children!”

Andrew Mujugira, MBChB, MSc, MPH, PhD, is a senior research scientist at Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Global Health at the University of Washington. With 21 years of experience conducting HIV prevention clinical trials in eastern and southern Africa, his research has successfully supported evidence-based policy changes related to HIV at both global and national levels. He has served as principal investigator and co-investigator on several NIH-funded HIV PrEP effectiveness trials, demonstration projects and implementation studies directed at underserved and vulnerable key populations in Uganda. In doing so, he has evaluated the use of combination HIV prevention tools (HIV self-testing, sexually transmitted infection self-sampling, PrEP and antiretroviral treatment) to reduce HIV incidence. His current projects include a randomized, double-blind trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of monthly oral HIV-1 PrEP in adolescent girls and young women in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.

Lillian Mworeko holds a Master’s in institutional management and leadership from the Uganda Management Institute, a diploma in leadership and management from Management Sciences for Health, a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) from Makerere University, and a diploma in secondary education from Kyambogo University, Kampala.

She is the Executive Director for the International Community of Women living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA), the Co-host of the Africa Women Prevention Community Accountability Board, and the Lead Implementer of Community-Led Monitoring in Uganda in a consortium of three organisations (ICWEA, Sexual Minorities Uganda and Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development Uganda).

“I will always lend my voice to issues and priorities that advance human rights and access to comprehensive services for all. Every issue is my issue. It doesn’t matter whether I am the beneficiary or not! I will not tire of advancing person-centred prevention and care – we owe it to our children!”

Ngundu Osee Behuhuma is a senior medical officer at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI). He is deeply committed to comprehensive care for people living with HIV and with an interest in optimizing treatment strategies, as well as PrEP use among adolescent girls

and young women. After graduating in medicine from the University of Kisangani in the DRC, he worked in his native country, the DRC, for three years before moving to South Africa. He completed his specialist training in family medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His academic training includes a diploma in HIV management from the College of Medicine of South Africa, a postgraduate diploma in HIV management from Stellenbosch University, and a Master’s in clinical trials from University College London. Before joining AHRI in November 2016, he worked for six and a half years as a medical officer at the South African Department of Health.

Linah Kampilimba Mwango is an accomplished public health practitioner, nurse leader, and community-based health systems strategist with over 16 years of progressive experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating health programs that address the needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations. Currently serving as the ADVANCE Project Director at Ciheb Zambia, Linah oversees the implementation of a multimillion-dollar PEPFAR/CDC-supported initiative that delivers comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services to key populations (KPs), most vulnerable populations (MVPs), and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) across Zambia. With a deep passion for health equity and person-centered care, Linah has been a driving force behind some of Zambia’s most impactful community HIV interventions, capacity-building programs, and policy reform efforts. Her leadership combines clinical excellence, community engagement, evidence-based programming, and health systems strengthening making her a pivotal figure in the national HIV response and an influential advocate for inclusive, rights-based healthcare.

Zandile Masangane is a programme officer with 21 years of experience, including 19 years with the Eswatini government’s Ministry of Health. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from the Amref International University of Nairobi and a diploma of advanced studies in healthcare management from Basel University. She worked in primary and secondary healthcare facilities before moving to the programme level in the Ministry of Health. She has been coordinating the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health function in the ministry since 2012. In this role, she provides professional, technical and operational assistance to stakeholders in adolescent sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention, including UN agencies, the Global Fund principal, sub-recipient organizations and development partners. One of her main responsibilities is to prepare an annual plan for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, track progress, and monitor and evaluate its implementation. She is currently coordinating the implementation of the Halting the Spread of HIV programme, which targets adolescent girls and young women, and is supported by the Global Fund through World Vision, a sub-recipient of the Global Fund.

Prof Linda-Gail Bekker is the Chief Executive Officer of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation and Director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Prof Bekker is a physician, scientist and infectious disease specialist. Her research interests include programmatic and action research around antiretroviral roll-out and TB integration, prevention of HIV in women, youth and MSM. Prof Bekker serves on numerous international scientific and advisory committees. She is a A+ rated scientist, has published >700 peer-reviewed papers.

Picture credit: Nasief Salie for Spotlight

Andrew Mujugira, MBChB, MSc, MPH, PhD, is a senior research scientist at Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Global Health at the University of Washington. With 21 years of experience conducting HIV prevention clinical trials in eastern and southern Africa, his research has successfully supported evidence-based policy changes related to HIV at both global and national levels. He has served as principal investigator and co-investigator on several NIH-funded HIV PrEP effectiveness trials, demonstration projects and implementation studies directed at underserved and vulnerable key populations in Uganda. In doing so, he has evaluated the use of combination HIV prevention tools (HIV self-testing, sexually transmitted infection self-sampling, PrEP and antiretroviral treatment) to reduce HIV incidence. His current projects include a randomized, double-blind trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of monthly oral HIV-1 PrEP in adolescent girls and young women in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.

Prof Linda-Gail Bekker is the Chief Executive Officer of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation and Director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Prof Bekker is a physician, scientist and infectious disease specialist. Her research interests include programmatic and action research around antiretroviral roll-out and TB integration, prevention of HIV in women, youth and MSM. Prof Bekker serves on numerous international scientific and advisory committees. She is a A+ rated scientist, has published >700 peer-reviewed papers.

Picture credit: Nasief Salie for Spotlight

Lillian Mworeko holds a Master’s in institutional management and leadership from the Uganda Management Institute, a diploma in leadership and management from Management Sciences for Health, a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) from Makerere University, and a diploma in secondary education from Kyambogo University, Kampala.

She is the Executive Director for the International Community of Women living with HIV Eastern Africa (ICWEA), the Co-host of the Africa Women Prevention Community Accountability Board, and the Lead Implementer of Community-Led Monitoring in Uganda in a consortium of three organisations (ICWEA, Sexual Minorities Uganda and Coalition for Health Promotion and Social Development Uganda).

“I will always lend my voice to issues and priorities that advance human rights and access to comprehensive services for all. Every issue is my issue. It doesn’t matter whether I am the beneficiary or not! I will not tire of advancing person-centred prevention and care – we owe it to our children!”

Ngundu Osee Behuhuma is a senior medical officer at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI). He is deeply committed to comprehensive care for people living with HIV and with an interest in optimizing treatment strategies, as well as PrEP use among adolescent girls

and young women. After graduating in medicine from the University of Kisangani in the DRC, he worked in his native country, the DRC, for three years before moving to South Africa. He completed his specialist training in family medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. His academic training includes a diploma in HIV management from the College of Medicine of South Africa, a postgraduate diploma in HIV management from Stellenbosch University, and a Master’s in clinical trials from University College London. Before joining AHRI in November 2016, he worked for six and a half years as a medical officer at the South African Department of Health.

Linah Kampilimba Mwango is an accomplished public health practitioner, nurse leader, and community-based health systems strategist with over 16 years of progressive experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating health programs that address the needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations. Currently serving as the ADVANCE Project Director at Ciheb Zambia, Linah oversees the implementation of a multimillion-dollar PEPFAR/CDC-supported initiative that delivers comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services to key populations (KPs), most vulnerable populations (MVPs), and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) across Zambia. With a deep passion for health equity and person-centered care, Linah has been a driving force behind some of Zambia’s most impactful community HIV interventions, capacity-building programs, and policy reform efforts. Her leadership combines clinical excellence, community engagement, evidence-based programming, and health systems strengthening making her a pivotal figure in the national HIV response and an influential advocate for inclusive, rights-based healthcare.

Andrew Mujugira, MBChB, MSc, MPH, PhD, is a senior research scientist at Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Global Health at the University of Washington. With 21 years of experience conducting HIV prevention clinical trials in eastern and southern Africa, his research has successfully supported evidence-based policy changes related to HIV at both global and national levels. He has served as principal investigator and co-investigator on several NIH-funded HIV PrEP effectiveness trials, demonstration projects and implementation studies directed at underserved and vulnerable key populations in Uganda. In doing so, he has evaluated the use of combination HIV prevention tools (HIV self-testing, sexually transmitted infection self-sampling, PrEP and antiretroviral treatment) to reduce HIV incidence. His current projects include a randomized, double-blind trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of monthly oral HIV-1 PrEP in adolescent girls and young women in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.

Zandile Masangane is a programme officer with 21 years of experience, including 19 years with the Eswatini government’s Ministry of Health. She holds a Master’s in Public Health from the Amref International University of Nairobi and a diploma of advanced studies in healthcare management from Basel University. She worked in primary and secondary healthcare facilities before moving to the programme level in the Ministry of Health. She has been coordinating the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health function in the ministry since 2012. In this role, she provides professional, technical and operational assistance to stakeholders in adolescent sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention, including UN agencies, the Global Fund principal, sub-recipient organizations and development partners. One of her main responsibilities is to prepare an annual plan for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, track progress, and monitor and evaluate its implementation. She is currently coordinating the implementation of the Halting the Spread of HIV programme, which targets adolescent girls and young women, and is supported by the Global Fund through World Vision, a sub-recipient of the Global Fund.

Andrew Mujugira, MBChB, MSc, MPH, PhD, is a senior research scientist at Makerere University Infectious Diseases Institute and Affiliate Assistant Professor of Global Health at the University of Washington. With 21 years of experience conducting HIV prevention clinical trials in eastern and southern Africa, his research has successfully supported evidence-based policy changes related to HIV at both global and national levels. He has served as principal investigator and co-investigator on several NIH-funded HIV PrEP effectiveness trials, demonstration projects and implementation studies directed at underserved and vulnerable key populations in Uganda. In doing so, he has evaluated the use of combination HIV prevention tools (HIV self-testing, sexually transmitted infection self-sampling, PrEP and antiretroviral treatment) to reduce HIV incidence. His current projects include a randomized, double-blind trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of monthly oral HIV-1 PrEP in adolescent girls and young women in Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.