Health authorities in Kaliro District are targeting to immunise over 50,000 people in the ongoing nationwide yellow fever vaccination campaign that began on April 10 and is expected to run until April 16.
To meet this ambitious goal, youth mobilisers armed with megaphones have been deployed to traverse villages, urging residents to visit nearby health centres and receive the vaccine.
Eric Kiduba, the district health educator, reassured residents of the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness, citing approvals from both the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation.
He dismissed misinformation circulating in some communities that the vaccine causes impotence.
“Some people had been moving around trying to lie to the public that the vaccines cause impotency in men and women, which is not true,” Kiduba said during the official campaign launch at Bumanya Health Centre IV.
He revealed that over 300 health personnel had been deployed across the district to ensure timely and effective delivery of services throughout the campaign period.
John Bosco Mubitto, the Resident District Commissioner, warned leaders of religious sects against discouraging their followers from taking the vaccine.
He said such acts amounted to sabotage of a government programme and offenders would face arrest and prosecution.
“Security personnel have been put on high alert to monitor any leader found guilty of discouraging participation in the vaccination exercise,” Mubitto said.
He also urged religious leaders to use their pulpits to mobilise their congregations for the campaign, noting that spiritual well-being must go hand in hand with physical health.
Lydia Akoth, the Central Supervisor for Advocacy, Communication, and Social Mobilisation in the Yellow Fever Reactive Campaign, told the Nile Post that the campaign was prompted by a confirmed case of yellow fever in neighbouring Kibuku District.
“The campaign is scheduled for seven days, from 10 to 16 April 2025, targeting people aged between one and sixty years,” Akoth said.
“We encourage everyone who has not received the vaccine to either go to a health facility or visit the vaccination post in their community.”
She added that yellow fever has no cure and urged continued access to the vaccine at health centres even after the campaign ends.
District Chairperson Elijah Kagoda called on political leaders at all levels to support the mobilisation effort.
He noted that residents intending to travel abroad should take advantage of the campaign since yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for international travel.
Dr Ivan Munigwa, the in-charge of Bumanya Health Centre IV, confirmed that the facility had enough personnel to handle the expected numbers.
As Kaliro steps up mobilisation efforts, officials are banking on a mix of community engagement, youth participation and local leadership to make the yellow fever vaccination campaign a success.