Abstract

The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a major public health challenge in East Africa, with countries such as Uganda, 
Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ethiopia disproportionately affected. Global health partnerships, 
particularly the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 
(UNAIDS), and the Global Fund, have played a central role in mitigating the epidemic through technical guidance, 
advocacy, financing, and capacity-building initiatives. These collaborations have expanded antiretroviral therapy 
coverage, strengthened health systems, enhanced surveillance, and supported prevention programs, including 
mother-to-child transmission interventions. Despite these successes, challenges such as donor dependency, 
workforce shortages, inequitable access for key populations, and systemic limitations persist, threatening the 
sustainability of gains. This review evaluates the impact of these global health partnerships on HIV prevention and 
treatment in East Africa and highlights strategies for future progress, including increased local ownership, 
integration of HIV services into universal health coverage, digital health innovations, and targeted, stigma-free 
interventions. Strengthening collaborative approaches remains essential for sustaining progress, improving health 
equity, and advancing toward ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region.