05 May 2025 | Kampala, Uganda — Uganda’s leaders have called for stronger community action to support the newly launched malaria vaccine, as part of efforts to eliminate the country’s leading cause of sickness and death.
Speaking at the 3rd Walk Against Malaria held at Parliament, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, urged leaders at all levels to take an active role in mobilizing parents to vaccinate children under the age of two. Uganda became the 19th country globally to roll out the malaria vaccine in April 2025, targeting 1.1 million children across 105 high and moderate malaria transmission districts.
“This vaccine offers a powerful opportunity for prevention. It’s our duty to encourage parents and caregivers to ensure children are vaccinated. It’s about safeguarding our future generations,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa emphasized the importance of community leadership and parental involvement in ensuring widespread uptake of the vaccine, adding that Uganda’s success in rolling out the vaccine has been remarkable compared to other countries.
Call for Malaria Prevention in Schools
Tayebwa expressed concern over the high malaria burden among school-going children and urged the government to adopt Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in boarding school dormitories and classrooms, a proven method for long-term mosquito control.
“Many boarding schools have triple-decker beds, making mosquito net usage difficult. For only Shs 5,000 per student, spraying dormitories can help protect our children for months,” he added.
Personal Stories Highlight the Impact
Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, Minister of State for Energy and Mineral Development, shared her personal battle with malaria during childhood as a reminder that eliminating malaria is possible.
“My early years were a struggle, constantly in hospital because of malaria. But I believe this fight can be won for every child in Uganda.”
China’s Deputy Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Fan Xuecheng, reaffirmed China’s continued support in the fight against malaria, highlighting last year’s donation of 500,000 packs of anti-malaria drugs as part of a growing partnership.
WHO Urges Renewed Commitment to End Malaria
World Health Organization (WHO) Uganda Representative, Dr. Kasonde Mwinga, noted that Uganda already possesses the tools, knowledge, and strategies necessary to eliminate malaria.
“The burden remains unacceptably high, but we have everything we need. We must reinvest in proven interventions, rethink strategies to overcome challenges, and reignite our collective commitment,” he said.
Walk Against Malaria: A United Front for Action
The Walk Against Malaria, organized by the Parliamentary Forum on Malaria, chaired by Hon. Timothy Batuwa, continues to serve as a platform for raising awareness and mobilizing domestic resources to fight malaria.
The forum works alongside partners such as UNICEF, WHO, Malaria Consortium, Malaria Free Uganda, Pilgrim for Africa, Next Media, and diplomatic missions.
Source: Parliament Uganda
