Former Vice President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe has launched an ambitious malaria eradication drive in the Busoga sub-region, one of Uganda’s hardest-hit areas for malaria-related deaths and hospitalizations.
The Busoga Malaria Eradication Project, initiated in partnership with the Busoga Health Forum, aims to reduce malaria cases through mass screening, treatment, and extensive indoor residual spraying.
The spraying campaign targets both the interior and exterior of homes to kill mosquitoes on contact and reduce the spread of malaria.
Busoga currently accounts for 33% of outpatient visits, 22% of hospital admissions, and 11% of malaria-related deaths in Uganda, making it a priority area for intervention.
In Nagadadula village, Nawanyingi sub-county, Iganga district, residents have been grappling with the financial burden of malaria treatment. Yolamu Kumunu, a father of nine, shared how malaria treatment costs are draining household income.
“I spend over Shs 60,000 every month treating malaria,” Kumunu said. “Most of the Parish Development Model (PDM) money we borrowed is now going toward treatment instead of improving our livelihoods.”
Kumunu initially thought his children’s illness was due to witchcraft after they performed well in school.
“They were among the top in class. I suspected someone wanted to stop their success. But after visiting a health facility, I was told they all had malaria,” he added.
The situation reflects the struggles faced by many families in Nawaningi, Bulamagi, and across Busoga, where swampy areas and overgrown bushes create ideal mosquito breeding grounds.
Salam Kutaama, a health worker at Nawaningi Health Centre III, highlighted poor environmental management as a key factor in the malaria crisis.
“Many residents live near swamps and fail to clear bushes, allowing mosquitoes to thrive. Over 30% of our patients are seeking malaria treatment, which overwhelms health facilities and causes frequent drug shortages,” Kutaama noted.
Dr. Karim Muluya, Iganga’s assistant district health officer, emphasized that money spent on malaria treatment could instead be used for household development and improving livelihoods.
Kazibwe’s initiative includes distributing free mosquito nets to vulnerable families, training 250 village health brigade teams to monitor and report malaria cases, and educating communities on malaria prevention.
Health expert Allan Katamba believes the project will reduce malaria cases and ease the financial burden on families.
“This project comes at the right time. Families were panicking after spending most of their PDM funds on malaria treatment,” Katamba said.
Kazibwe remains optimistic that, with proper intervention and community cooperation, malaria can be eradicated in Busoga.
“We have the tools and the willpower. It’s time to protect our communities and end malaria for good,” she concluded.
