For more than 20 years, a partnership between the Government of Uganda, PEPFAR, the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) and other implementing partners have helped bring lifesaving HIV services closer to communities scattered across Kalangala’s islands.
On 25 August 2026, the CDC Uganda Country Director visited Kalangala as part of a site tour highlighting the achievements and future of the partnership. The visit included Kalangala Health Centre IV and a stakeholder engagement at the District Council Hall.

“Kalangala demonstrates what is possible when government leadership, communities and development partners remain committed to a common goal. For more than 20 years, this partnership has helped ensure that people living on these islands are not left behind because of geography,” the CDC Uganda Country Director Ms, Mary Boyd said.

Kalangala, Uganda’s only island district, comprises 84 islands, with 64 permanently inhabited. Delivering healthcare in such a setting requires innovation, reliable transport, power, connectivity and committed health workers.
The partnership has supported major investments, including a 25-seater speed boat, solar power systems across all 15 health facilities, internet connectivity, laboratory strengthening and digital health systems. These investments have helped health workers reach communities and provide quality services despite the challenges of island geography.

The Resident District Commissioner Hon Fred Badda commended the partners for their sustained support, noting that the investments had made a tangible difference to communities.
“These investments have made a real difference in the lives of our people, particularly those living on islands where access to health services has historically been difficult. Our commitment as Government is to protect these gains and ensure they continue to benefit our communities,” the RDC said.

The LC.V Chairperson Ms. Lunkuse Agnes highlighted the community impact of the partnership.
“Kalangala is separated by water, but our people should never be separated from essential healthcare. We are grateful to CDC, PEPFAR, IDI and all partners who have stood with Kalangala,” the Chairperson said.

The Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Richard Ssebandeke emphasised the importance of sustaining the investments.
“The transformation we are seeing has been built through years of collaboration even before i joined Kalangala. Our priority now is sustainability strengthening the health workforce, maintaining infrastructure and ensuring communities across the islands continue to receive quality services,” the CAO said and thanked the DHO for the work well done.

For IDI, the current partnership builds on the foundation laid by previous programmes, including KCPHS and RHSP.
“Although the implementing arrangements have changed over the years, the commitment to the people of Kalangala has remained. IDI is proud to build on this foundation and work with the district, CDC, PEPFAR and communities to sustain the gains,” an IDI representative Dr. Kavuma Paul said.

At Kalangala HC IV, the impact is reflected in strong HIV programme performance, with 97 percent viral suppression and 90 percent retention in care.
The District Health Officer noted that these results demonstrate the value of sustained investment in the health system.
“The results we are seeing are a reflection of sustained investment in health workers, laboratory capacity, digital systems and community outreach. These investments are helping us provide better care to our patients,” the DHO said Mr. Bitakalamire Hillary .

As Kalangala looks ahead, stakeholders agreed that sustaining the gains will require continued partnership, stronger human resources and reliable systems.
For two decades, the journey to healthcare in Kalangala has often been across the water. But the deeper story is one of partnership that stayed with the people, across the islands and across generations based on the Kalangala Health Centre IV as the Headquarter