By Dr Kasonde Mwinga, WHO Country Representative, Uganda
As Uganda commemorates World Tuberculosis Day, we pause to reflect on the immense burden that tuberculosis (TB) continues to place on individuals, families, and communities. Despite being a preventable and treatable disease, TB remains one of the leading infectious killers worldwide, claiming millions of lives each year.
In Uganda, the situation is alarming, with an estimated 96,000 people falling ill with TB annually. In 2023, approximately 86,000 TB patients were diagnosed, leaving about 10,000 cases undetected and untreated allowing continued transmission within communities. Behind these numbers are real people: mothers, fathers, children, and breadwinners whose dreams are interrupted by TB.
Tuberculosis thrives where there is poverty. It is not only a health crisis but also a significant socio-economic challenge, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable populations. Driven by factors such as overcrowded conditions, undernutrition, diabetes, HIV, alcohol use, and smoking, along with insufficient social protection, the TB epidemic remains severe, and the costs of TB treatment further deepen cycles of poverty and economic vulnerability.
This World Tuberculosis Day, the theme “Yes! We can end TB!” serves as both a rallying cry and a reminder that achieving a TB-free world is within our reach.It requires sustained political will, robust financing by government increasing domestic funding for TB, and relentless collaboration across sectors. It demands that we strengthen our community and health systems to ensure early diagnosis, effective treatment, and support for patients throughout their recovery journey.
As WHO, we applaud Uganda’s efforts to expand access to TB screening, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention including up-to-date tools for rapid and accurate testing. However, to accelerate progress, we must scale up these interventions. This means ensuring that every individual with TB, including those with drug-resistant forms of the disease, receives the care they need. It means leveraging innovative solutions such as community-based TB care models, which bring services closer to those who need them most.
The integrated community-led TB program, CAST-TB+, has demonstrated a significant impact. In 2024 CAST-TB +, reached 1,218,371 individuals with TB, HIV, and malaria screening. As a result, 4,898 TB cases, 499 HIV cases, and 44,868 malaria cases were diagnosed. Additionally, 8,208 people living with HIV received essential TB preventive therapy.Beyond infectious diseases, the initiative also tackled malnutrition, identifying 29,504 children under five with moderate to severe malnutrition and 506 pregnant and lactating mothers affected by malnutrition out of 15,947 screened using the mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). Moreover, this initiative campaign revealed that 28,007 individuals lacked access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, underscoring critical gaps in essential services.
These findings highlight the urgent need for integrated service delivery that addresses TB, HIV, malaria, malnutrition, WASH, and non-infectious diseases collectively. Strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration and embedding these essential services into routine healthcare will enhance efficiency, improve health outcomes, and ensure that no one is left behind. These efforts are aligned with Uganda’s National TB and Leprosy Strategic Plan 2020–2025, which focuses on decentralizing services, improving TB detection, and integrating TB-HIV services at all levels of care.
Our collective response to TB must also address its social determinants such as reducing poverty, improving nutrition, and creating awareness about TB prevention. The fight against TB transcends health concerns, it is a fight for social justice, equity, and human dignity.
There is need to also address the specific challenges that TB poses for men and young people. In many communities, TB is still a stigmatized disease, contributing to delays in seeking care. Tailored interventions are needed to ensure no one is left behind.
On this day, I call upon all stakeholders’ government leaders, health workers, civil society organizations, development partners, and the private sector to reaffirm their commitment to ending TB in Uganda. Together, we can overcome the barriers that perpetuate this disease and create a brighter, healthier future for all Ugandans.
To the public: If you or someone you know has a persistent cough, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss, seek medical attention immediately. Encourage your loved ones to get screened and treated. Let’s break the silence and stigma around TB together.
For the individual battling TB, the journey can be isolating and stigmatizing. As a society, we must foster compassion and solidarity. Let us amplify the voices of TB survivors, celebrate their resilience, and ensure they are supported—not judged.
The fight against tuberculosis is a fight we can win, but it requires each of us to play our part. From policymakers who prioritize TB funding to community leaders who champion awareness campaigns, every contribution matters. This World Tuberculosis Day, let us pledge to work together, with determination and hope, to end TB once and for all.
Yes! We can end TB. Yes! We will end TB.
