With an estimated 96,000 new cases of Tuberculosis (TB) reported annually, Uganda is among the 30 high-burden countries affected by both TB and TB-HIV co-infection.
Approximately 35% of notified TB cases are co-infected with HIV, and around 2% involve drug-resistant TB, complicating treatment and recovery.
At the same time, although leprosy was eliminated as a public health problem two decades ago, recent data shows a resurgence in cases from 180 annually to approximately 350. Alarmingly, 21% of these cases involve Grade II disabilities, pointing to delayed diagnosis.
Additionally, child leprosy cases have risen from 8% to 13%, indicating ongoing transmission at the community level.
In response, the Ministry of Health (MoH), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, conducted a comprehensive TB/leprosy Programme Review to shape future strategies aimed at ending TB and achieving zero leprosy by 2030.The review came at a critical time of shifting and uncertain funding for global public health. Hon Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health, reaffirmed her commitment to mobilizing financing for the programme to achieve its objectives.
“Because we are still heavily burdened by TB, I assure you of my commitment to table a policy brief on TB/leprosy to Cabinet and advocate for increased domestic funding,” she said.
Despite the challenges, the programme has made commendable progress across many indicators, especially in reaching people with TB and leprosy. Community involvement expanded TB screening, and chest X-rays aligned with WHO recommendations have increased case detection, even among asymptomatic individuals.
“We’ve adopted many innovations, including community awareness, screening, and testing, the use of chest X-ray screening to identify TB cases earlier,” said Dr Evelyne Tibananuka, TB/leprosy Technical Officer at WHO Uganda.
“However, much more remains to be done. We now need to tackle TB at the grassroots and address the key drivers of the disease.”This resolve was re-echoed by Dr. Charles Olaro, Acting Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health. “We must strengthen community engagement and empower Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) with TB and leprosy knowledge to drive advocacy and create demand for services,” he stated.
WHO continues to work closely with Uganda’s Ministry of Health, providing technical support, expertise, and innovative solutions to ensure the country meets international health standards while addressing local needs.
Insights from this comprehensive review will inform the new TB Strategic Plan (NSP) 2025/26–2029/30, a roadmap that emphasizes targeted, evidence-based interventions based on field data and stakeholder consultations.
Dr. Suraj Man Shrestha from the WHO country office congratulated the programme for completing the review and its achievements. He urged the government to prioritize the integration of TB and leprosy services within broader health systems to advance a resilient, patient-centred approach to healthcare delivery.
“WHO remains committed to supporting Uganda on its journey toward ending TB and leprosy through strengthened systems, innovative approaches, and sustained collaboration,” he emphasized.
