Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, centre, Dr Charles Olaro, 1st left, with NMS officials
By George Bukenya
Laxity in the use of preventive measures in Uganda has led to an increase in Malaria prevalence in the country. A recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Health revealed that Malaria prevalence has increased from 9.2 % in 2024 to 18% in 2025.
This makes the disease still a huge burden, although control measures are being undertaken by the government to reduce the burden in Uganda. According to W H O, Uganda ranks 1st now of the 11 countries with a high malaria prevalence.
Speaking to reporters, at the flag off of 2026 mosquito net distribution at National Medical Stores (NMS) at Lweza, Wakiso District, the Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng said that fight malaria is not sorely a government responsibility but it’s a collective responsibility and i starts with and individual by constantly adhering to the preventive measures like sleeping under a mosquito net and clearing bushes around our homes.
“Fighting the Malaria endemic is a responsibility of everyone, the prevalence has increased again because people are not using the mosquito nets and other preventive measures,’’ Dr. Aceng said.
She revealed that the government in this round will be distributing 10m mosquitoes in 26 districts curtsey of USA aid of US $ 100m. Out of this lamp sum, 90 million was used for the procurement of 3 million nets and transporting them to the NMS headquarters, while US $ 10 will be spent on distribution.
The Director General of Health Service (DGS) in the Ministry of Health Dr. Charles Olaro, said that 3 out of 10 of the patients who visit Hospitals and Health centres are diagnosed with malaria, while 200,000 pre-mature births occur due to malaria effects.
“ We are still registering a big number of pre-mature births due to the effect of malaria disease, of the mortality rate, a big percentage is a result of malaria,’’ Dr. Olaro said.
The WHO representative in Uganda, Dr. Kasonde Mwinga said Malaria continues to be a leading cause of illness globally, but in Uganda, the death toll ranges between 16,000 to 37,000 annually, as of 2023/2024 report, with children under five being most vulnerable.
Dr. Kasonde however hailed the Uganda government for being instrumental if fight malaria globally and in Africa. He urged individuals to be responsible and put mosqiuto nets to the right use if we are to reduce the prevalence.
“As individuals, we need to be responsible and put mosquito nets to the right use and also adapting other preventive measures to prevent, eliminate or even eradicate malaria out of the country,’’ Dr. Kasonde said.
He also said that WHO is committed to continuing to support the fight against not only malaria but also other diseases so as to have a malaria-free country.