The World Health Organization (WHO) Uganda joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Malaria Day 2023 and the launch of the lifesaving vector control tool, the Insecticide Treated Mosquitoes nets (ITNs).  

The function took place on 25th April in Bugiri district under the national theme, ‘Getting back on track through investing, innovating, and implementation’. The day was preceded by a match past through town intended to raise awareness and mobilize communities to fight malaria which has claimed many lives in Uganda.

The chief guest at the event, State Minister for Health (General Duties) Hon. Anifa Kawooya Bangirana, pledged government’s commitment to increase support to hospitals, increase drugs and other supplies in health facilities, and increase household indoor spraying of mosquitoes in affected communities.

‘’Ministry of Health has vigorously embarked on Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in households in burdened regions of Acholi, Lango, Teso, Bukedi, and now in Busoga. We promise to continue throughout the country,” Hon. Kawooya said.

Launching the Fourth universal coverage campaign dubbed ‘Under the Net’, the minister rallied communities to sleep under mosquito nets. The nets will be distributed under the universal coverage concept of one mosquito net per two people with the objective of increasing access and ownership of the nets in communities across the country.

Hon. Agnes Taaka, the area Member of Parliament, appreciated the government for selecting Bugiri district to host the commemoration because Bugiri contributes highly to the malaria burden in Uganda. She urged the public to play a role in eliminating mosquitoes by planting mosquito-repelling plants and taking children suffering from malaria to nearby health facilities.

To get back on track towards zero malaria, Dr. Katureebe Charles from WHO, urged partners to strengthen commitment to malaria response at all levels.   He also called for increased investments including domestic resources, embracing innovations in new tools, and delivery of interventions and innovation in community engagements. This, he added, will help to break barriers to access and utilization, effective partnerships and multisectoral collaboration.

On behalf of implementing partners, Dr. Moses Kamya, a professor of medicine at Makerere University and Executive Director of Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC) appreciated government support, especially for policy frameworks that engage all partners. He thanked the development partners including the US government, WHO, and others for the support and pledged commitment to work with the government to get back on track and chase malaria to zero.

Uganda ranks third in global malaria burden with over 12 million cases reported annually. For every 10 sick people in Uganda, three are suffering from malaria.