Uganda launches initiative to eliminate Malaria in five districts by 2030
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has launched the Malaria Elimination Demonstration Zones (MEDZ) initiative which targets five districts Kamwenge, Nakaseke, Luwero, Buliisa, and Rukiga.
The initiative was officially launched on Friday at the Kamwenge District Headquarters.
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The event attracted high-profile dignitaries, including the Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng; Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze; and Dr. Jimmy Opio, Commissioner of the Ministry of Health, among other distinguished guests.
The MEDZ initiative, which will be piloted over 36 months, is part of Uganda’s broader strategy to eliminate malaria by 2030, as outlined in the National Malaria Eradication and Elimination Strategic Plan 2021–2026.
It introduces innovative community-based models, including household, school, and cell ring approaches, to reduce malaria transmission and manage cases.
Dr. Jimmy Opio emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “We are using this pilot to demonstrate how targeted interventions at the community and household levels can drastically reduce malaria transmission. This approach ensures we identify and treat symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in their communities.”
The program is tailored to the unique malaria epidemiological zones in the country. It targets high-transmission districts like Kamwenge and Buliisa, moderate-transmission districts like Nakaseke and Luwero, and low-transmission areas like Rukiga.
Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng urged local leaders and communities in the pilot districts to embrace the initiative and deliver measurable results.
“This is a unique opportunity for the selected districts to demonstrate that malaria elimination is possible. The success of this initiative will pave the way for its rollout across the entire country,” she said.
Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and Member of Parliament for Kibale East, expressed his gratitude for the inclusion of Kamwenge in the pilot program.
“I thank the Ministry of Health and the government for prioritizing Kamwenge in this groundbreaking initiative. It is a step towards improving the health and livelihoods of our people,” he said.
Uganda remains one of the top 10 high-malaria-burden countries globally, alongside nations like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the World Health Organization.
The country’s annual malaria caseload, which had previously stabilized, has seen an increase in recent years.
The MEDZ initiative aims to reverse this trend by creating pre-elimination zones as proof-of-concept areas. These zones will serve as benchmarks for reducing malaria endemicity across the country.
With just six years remaining to achieve its malaria elimination target, the Ministry of Health is optimistic that the MEDZ initiative will lay the foundation for a malaria-free Uganda.
By combining vector control, case management, and community engagement, the government is confident that it can turn the tide against one of the country’s most persistent health challenges.
As Dr. Aceng remarked during the launch, “Malaria elimination is not just a health goal it is a national priority. Together, we can achieve a malaria-free Uganda by 2030.”
