Uganda’s malaria elimination efforts have received a significant boost following a collaboration between Pilgrim Africa and Children Voices Against Malaria (CVAM), aimed at increasing the uptake of Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in high-burden communities.
The initiative, which uses a school sponsorship model, seeks to strengthen community sensitisation and address persistent resistance to spraying, particularly in endemic regions such as Teso.
IRS remains one of the Ministry of Health’s key interventions for reducing malaria transmission. However, officials say its effectiveness has often been undermined by misinformation and low household acceptance.
Under the arrangement, Children Voices Against Malaria supported indoor residual spraying at Siirt Islamic Primary School, along with other selected schools within the IRS programme.
“When you involve children, you are not just implementing a programme—you are shaping community behaviour,” said Geofrey Mugisha, Head of Community Engagement at Children Voices Against Malaria.
Through this model, schools will serve as centres for community engagement, with learners expected to influence attitudes in their homes and neighbourhoods.
According to Dr Wycliffe Odude, community cooperation remains critical to the success of IRS interventions. He noted that technical solutions alone are insufficient without public trust and understanding.
Early engagement in Soroti schools suggests that student-driven approaches can help address misconceptions and improve acceptance of spraying teams.
The model is expected to expand to more schools, as stakeholders seek to replicate it in other districts with a high malaria burden. Analysts say the approach reflects a shift toward integrated public health delivery, where government interventions are reinforced by civil society and community-based actors.
Uganda continues to prioritise IRS as part of its national malaria control strategy, with renewed focus on strengthening grassroots mobilisation to sustain gains in disease reduction.
Uganda will mark World Malaria Day 2026 in Iganga under the theme: “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.”
Malaria remains the leading cause of death in Uganda, with an estimated 15,945 deaths and over 12.5 million cases recorded in 2023. The country has the highest malaria incidence rate globally, accounting for 30–40% of all outpatient visits and 10–20% of inpatient deaths. The malaria mortality rate stood at 13.7 per 100,000 people in 2023.
Uganda aims to eliminate malaria by 2030.
