The United States of America has provided an emergency supply of anti-retroviral drugs worth $5.5 million (about Shs12billion) to Uganda.

The donation was presented to the Ministry of Health by the U.S Ambassador to Uganda Jerry Lanier, on Wednesday.

According to a statement by the US mission, the donation will help to bridge the gap in the availability of ARVs in the country and prevent stock-outs of the life-saving HIV/AIDS medications.

"The Ministry will distribute the drugs immediately to clinics and not-for-profit hospitals to replenish dwindling supplies," the statement said in part.

The donation comes at a time when the country is experiencing shortage of the drugs.

"This high level of funding is particularly significant today at a time of tightening budgets and economic constraints. I am proud of the support that the American people are providing to Uganda to help fight this disease," Mr Lanier said.

He said although the need for ARVs is immediate; the real solution to the crisis requires both short- and long-term actions. The United States is currently investing $280 million a year in Uganda to fight HIV and AIDS. Since 2004, American investment totals $1.4 billion.

Mr Lanier said although the U.S. is supporting Uganda, it should not be the only source of funding for Uganda's HIV and AIDS prevention, care, and treatment efforts.

He said the role of U.S. aid programme is never to lead another nation's response, but to work with it to identify opportunities where the country's technical and financial support can make a needed contribution.