Leaderless Njiri Nkalu Cult Poses a Threat to Polio Vaccination Efforts, says MoH

The mass polio vaccination campaign for children below five years is scheduled to run from October 3rd to 6th and will target 49 districts in Eastern and Karamoja subregions.

The Ministry of Health has raised concerns over religious cults hindering the ongoing mass polio vaccination campaign, particularly in Eastern Uganda and the Karamoja subregion.

These cults, whose followers reject vaccinations, are becoming a significant barrier as Uganda intensifies efforts to combat polio following the discovery of a case in Mbale City earlier this year.

Dr. Michael Baganizi, Program Officer for Immunization at the Ministry of Health, highlighted these challenges during a stakeholders' conference organized by the Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization (UNEPI).

He revealed that while some cults are willing to engage in dialogue, the Njiri Nkalu cult poses a unique problem due to its lack of leadership.

“It is very easy to deal with cult leaders because when we meet them, they can deliver the message to their followers. However, members of the Njiri Nkalu cult have confessed to being leaderless, making it complex to address the issue,” Dr Baganizi explained.

This is not the first time cults have resisted vaccination efforts in Uganda. In regions like Western Uganda, the Ministry has had some success engaging with cult leaders, such as the formerly resistant "Owobushobozi" leader, who has now embraced vaccination.

However, leaderless groups like Njiri Nkalu continue to resist public health efforts, creating significant challenges.

The mass polio vaccination campaign for children below five years is scheduled to run from October 3rd to 6th and will target 49 districts in Eastern and Karamoja subregions.

Dr Baganizi emphasized that the Busoga subregion, where Njiri Nkalu is prevalent, has seen high levels of resistance, further complicating the Ministry's efforts.

Followers of these cults, including Njiri Nkalu and the notorious "666" group, believe that their religion forbids the uptake of vaccines and other unknown drugs, citing concerns over their safety.

Some members have even faced arrest in the past for obstructing health initiatives.

Despite these challenges, Dr Ritah Atugonza, deputy programme officer at UNEPI, warned against coercive methods.

“Coercion is not the solution. We need to understand why these people refuse to vaccinate their children and address their concerns through education and dialogue,” she said.

Dr Atugonza called for more concerted efforts in sensitizing communities, particularly those heavily influenced by cult beliefs.

She urged the media to take an active role in debunking misinformation surrounding vaccinations.

“Journalists need to report accurately on immunization, and opinion leaders in these communities should be engaged to share their views,” she added.

The stakeholders' conference focused on training journalists to report accurately on immunization, as misinformation continues to be a significant hurdle in public health campaigns.

As the mass vaccination drive prepares to launch in Mbale City, the Ministry hopes that increased media engagement and community sensitization will help dispel vaccine-related myths and encourage broader participation.

The mass vaccination campaign is crucial in protecting Ugandan children from polio, a disease that had been previously eradicated but resurfaced earlier this year.

Health authorities are determined to reach all children, despite the challenges posed by these cults.

The Ministry of Health remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of every child through vaccination, and efforts to engage resistant communities are ongoing.

The campaign launch in Mbale City on October 3rd marks a significant step in this nationwide effort to combat polio and safeguard future generations.