Medical drones to revolutionise access to HIV medication

Uganda’s fight against HIV has taken a high-tech turn, as the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) under Makerere University continues to pioneer a medical drone programme aimed at reaching isolated communities with life-saving HIV treatment and testing services.

Speaking at a press conference on May 29, 2025, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, described the project as a breakthrough for Uganda’s healthcare system.

“This project explores the use of drone technology to deliver lifesaving HIV medications and test samples to hard-to-reach populations, particularly in Kalangala District and the West Nile region,” Prof. Buyinza said.

“It shows how innovation can reduce costs and remove logistical barriers to critical healthcare.”

Prof. Buyinza expressed pride in the university's role in the initiative.

"We are proud to support this kind of research that not only advances knowledge but also drives tangible improvements in public health and safety. The Medical Drone Programme reflects our commitment to impactful, people-centred innovation."

Dr. Patrick Ssesaazi (R), the project coordinator at IDI explains to Prof. Buyinza how medical drones work after the press conference at Makerere University. (Credit: John Musenze)

Dr Andrew Kambugu, executive director of the IDI, said the project was born out of necessity.

“Fishing communities on Lake Victoria remain among the most vulnerable to HIV due to their high mobility and limited access to healthcare. We couldn’t afford to leave them behind.”

“We realised that relying on boats alone was both dangerous and inefficient,” he added. “People assume fishermen can swim, but every year we lose lives to drowning. Drones overcome that challenge and deliver medication faster, more reliably and safely.”

The project was designed in three phases. According to Dr Kambugu, the first stage (2019–2021) focused on feasibility, mapping populations, and building essential infrastructure, including three weather stations in Kalangala and two more in West Nile.
“You can’t fly drones effectively without real-time weather data,” he noted.

In the second phase, the IDI piloted non-randomised evaluations to test whether drones could actually deliver medical supplies.

“We weren’t just flying empty shells. We loaded real ARTs in specially designed containers and flew them to designated landing sites on the islands,” Dr Kambugu explained. “Over 1,000 patients have now received HIV medication this way.”

The success of the pilot secured funding for a robust non-randomised clinical trial launched in March this year. This phase will assess not only feasibility but also cost-effectiveness, safety, and community impact.

“We are generating evidence to prove that drones are not just cool gadgets but viable tools for sustainable healthcare delivery,” Dr Kambugu said. “We hope the results will influence policy and lead to national scale-up.”

Beyond ART delivery, drones are also being used in West Nile to transport blood samples, assist with disease surveillance, and respond rapidly to outbreaks like COVID-19.

Executive Director of the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), Dr. Andrew Kambugu. (Credit: John Musenze)

Dr Kambugu acknowledged the broader challenges facing health innovation, including recent cuts to U.S. government funding.

“This year has been unusual. Six grants were affected, but five have been restored. One TB-focused grant was stopped. It underscores the importance of sustained foreign aid to our health sector,” he said.

Asked about the cost implications of drone deliveries, Dr Kambugu said the ongoing trial includes a full cost-effectiveness analysis.

“We’re not just looking at what it costs us as an institution, but what it means for the community. Boat travel isn’t only risky; it’s expensive and time-consuming. Drones may prove to be cheaper in the long run.”

The IDI has also invested in capacity-building, having trained nine drone pilots—two of whom are women—to support the programme’s expansion and sustainability.

As Uganda aims to achieve HIV epidemic control by 2030, the IDI Medical Drone Programme stands as a bold innovation that bridges geography, technology, and healthcare, according to Dr Patrick Ssesaazi, the project coordinator at IDI.

Dr Ssesaazi noted that the initiative, launched in 2019, has so far conducted over 500 successful drone flights across Lake Victoria’s islands and remote locations in West Nile. More than 4,500 kilometres have been covered, delivering antiretroviral therapy (ART) to nearly 1,000 patients in Bufumira subcounty alone, Kalangala Island.

"We've invested in weather stations: three weather stations on Kalangala Island and two additional weather stations, to gather real-time data, which is crucial for accurately conducting our study and effectively operating medical drones."

Dr Kambugu added that they are currently in the third and final phase. Together with the Ministry of Health, they plan to present their findings to Parliament and other stakeholders to demonstrate the viability of using medical drones as a superior alternative to boats.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Kalangala District Local Government, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and other key stakeholders such as Johnson & Johnson, Uganda Flying Labs, and Johns Hopkins University.