Today, as Uganda commemorates World Malaria Day in Gulu District, we are reminded of both a solemn truth and a powerful opportunity: malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases in Uganda, but it is also a disease we have the power to end if we choose to reinvest, reimagine, and reignite our collective efforts.
Malaria continues to be a leading cause of illness and death in Uganda. In 2023 alone, the country recorded over 16 million cases and 2793 deaths, most of them among children under five. Behind each statistic lies a child, a mother, a family and a future cut short.
Despite this heavy burden, Uganda has made remarkable strides. The Government has scaled up the distribution of long-lasting insecticidal nets, expanded diagnosis and treatment, and implemented indoor residual spraying in high-burden districts.
In a historic milestone for child survival, Uganda introduced the malaria vaccine into its routine immunization programme in 2024. This is a landmark decision that offers new hope, especially for children living in areas of high malaria transmission. While it is not a silver bullet, the vaccine is a powerful new tool in our arsenal. When combined with insecticide-treated nets, chemoprevention, and prompt effective treatment, it could significantly reduce malaria mortality among children under five.
Today, significant part of malaria funding in Uganda comes from external donors a model that is fragile and unsustainable. If we are serious about ending malaria, we must treat it not just as a health issue, but as a national development priority. Every shilling invested in malaria control saves lives, protects household incomes, and strengthens our economy.
Our fight is anchored in two key frameworks, Uganda’s Malaria Reduction and Elimination Strategic Plan and the Malaria Mortality Reduction Strategy, developed with WHO support. These plans chart a clear path forward. But without sustained domestic financing, political will, and community engagement, their full potential will remain unrealized.
The malaria vaccine must reach every eligible child. Equity must guide our delivery systems, ensuring access for all, especially those in hard-to-reach or post-conflict areas.
Special attention is needed for children under five, Pregnant women, people with disabilities, People living with HIV, school children and Adolescents.
We must design inclusive, accessible services tailored to the unique needs of those most at risk.
Uganda’s leadership in signing the Yaoundé Declaration, alongside ten other African countries, is another powerful commitment. It signals our intention to end malaria deaths and hold each other accountable for results. Worth to note that Uganda become the first of the 11 high malaria burden countries to implement the resolutions of the Yaoundé Declaration and developed a Malaria Mortality Reduction Strategy: a strategic roadmap towards ending malaria deaths. But we must walk the talk by tracking progress, funding our strategies, and building local capacity.
Ending malaria is not the responsibility of government alone, but rather everyone’s responsibility; political, religious, cultural and community leaders; the multisectoral leadership including private sector; households and families. You can help end malaria today:
Reinvest: * More domestic mobilization and spending on malaria elimination effortsReignite* More commitments from governments, donors, health workers, researchers, and communities* Sleep under an insecticide treated mosquito net every night* Seek treatment early within 24 hours of onset of fever* Encourage others to complete their treatment* Speak up. mobilize communities and be malaria champions
Reimagine* Continue innovations and use of new tools and strategies The World Health Organization remains a proud and steadfast partner in Uganda’s malaria response. We will continue to offer technical support, mobilize evidence, guide policy and build capacity.
We stand ready to support the full implementation of the Malaria Mortality Reduction Strategy, scale up vaccine delivery, and ensure universal access to proven tools.
Together, let us make the vision of a malaria-free Uganda not just a dream, but a reality. Time to Act is Now! malaria ends with us.
(By Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Representative to Uganda)
