The Ministry of Health has launched the Measles-Rubella (MR) follow-up vaccination campaign in Wakiso District where officials used the occasion to urge parents across the country to vaccinate their children.
While speaking at the launch which took place at Wakiso Health Centre IV, the Minister of Health Hon Dr Chris Baryomunsi who was the Guest of Honour promised that the facility will be upgraded to a hospital in the near future.
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The launch brought together government officials, the country representatives of UNICEF and World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control paediatric vaccinologist Dr Mary Boyd while Save the Children and Living Goods were also represented and the Organisers thanked IDI and the Uganda Red Cross for leading mobilisation, especially on the district’s far-flung island communities and hard to reach areas.
During the launch, the Wakiso District Chairman Ian Kyeyune, appreciated the expansion of the immunisation programme and the strong fight against malaria and noted that Wakiso District is Uganda’s most populous district and urged the Ministry to invest more in its health system.
He asked that the existing Health Centre IV be elevated to hospital status, saying it already sits on seven acres of land suitable for expansion and also identified the need for operating theatres and boat ambulances.
While responding, Dr Baryomunsi said he had noted the district’s concerns and would follow up to resolve them quickly and said that the Ministry is in advanced stages of upgrading the facility, is equipping health facilities across the country, and will soon advertise vacancies for health workers.
Dr Baryomunsi, recalled that the government launched its first mass vaccination campaign in 1987, when many children were dying of the six killer immunisable diseases and Polio has since been eradicated, infant mortality has fallen from 122 to 36 deaths per 1,000 live births, and life expectancy has risen from 43 years at the time.
He described these gains as evidence of progress under the NRM government and the launch as a continuation of that work.
He warned that rubella (German measles) is especially dangerous to pregnant women and their unborn babies, and urged parents to ensure children receive both doses and said more than 60 districts had reported measles outbreaks, which he blamed on parents’ failure to vaccinate their children.
He said that immunisation should be a continuous routine and not dependent on campaigns and warned that, working through Resident District Commissioners and security officers, the government would apprehend anyone sabotaging routine immunisation and denying children their chance at life.
Dr Boyd from the Center for Disease Control said prevention is more cost-effective than treatment but noted her worry on National coverage which was only 64% in 2025.
She said that this left many children at risk and she disclosed that the follow-up campaign aims to close that gap and she announced that the United States had signed a Ugx 2.3 billion bilateral agreement to support Uganda’s health sector, and urged parents to bring their children forward.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr Diana Atwine, said the high number of unvaccinated children in Wakiso prompted the district’s selection for the launch and urged parents to immunise their children against all 14 vaccine-preventable diseases, even when no campaign is running, stressing that the vaccines are safe and free.
She also encouraged women to use family planning and to feed their children well so that they benefit fully from nutrition.
She said Wakiso’s HIV prevalence, at 6.2%, is above average and voiced concern over continued new infections despite the wide range of prevention options, and advised anyone who tests positive to start treatment immediately.
Dr Atwine thanked Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) and said VHTs were prioritised for selection in recognition of their long service and praised Minister of State for for Education Hon Chemutai for backing the campaign, calling it a good example of interministerial cooperation who in turn thanked development partners and health workers for protecting children against preventable diseases.
The Director General of Health Services, Dr Charles Olaro, called on eligible children to be vaccinated and urged community leaders to take an active part in mobilisation and commended health workers for their efforts and UNICEF’s Country Representative pledged continued support for routine service delivery and demand generation.
