Kabale District has commenced the distribution of 170,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets across all 79 parishes in Kabale Municipality and the district in a renewed effort to prevent malaria and protect vulnerable communities.
The nets form part of the Ministry of Health's nationwide campaign to distribute 25.8 million long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets across Uganda's 130 districts. In line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, each net is designed to protect two people.
The consignment was delivered by the National Medical Stores (NMS) and received at Kabale District headquarters ahead of the household distribution exercise scheduled for August.
Speaking during the handover, Raymond Kawalya, who led the NMS delivery team, said a total of 3,404 bales of MedNet mosquito nets had been delivered for distribution across the district's 79 parishes.
Kawalya explained that the mosquito nets will remain under the custody of parish chiefs until the official distribution exercise begins.
He added that every handover will be witnessed by LC I or LC II chairpersons alongside Village Health Team (VHT) members to promote transparency, accountability and proper record-keeping.
"The NMS team will remain in Kabale until all parishes receive their allocations and designated storage centres are fully stocked," Kawalya said.
Rukia Nakamatte, Communications Specialist at the National Malaria Elimination Division, called for stronger coordination and community mobilisation to ensure the campaign achieves its intended impact.
Nakamatte said the Ministry of Health is implementing the nationwide exercise in five phases, with Kabale among the 38 districts included in Phase Four.
"About 6.8 million mosquito nets will be distributed during Phase Four, covering districts in Kigezi, Buganda and Karamoja. The national exercise is expected to conclude in September when Kampala and Wakiso receive their allocations," Nakamatte said.
She revealed that district leaders will attend a regional orientation meeting during the first week of August to receive guidance on implementation plans, budgets and stakeholder responsibilities.
Nakamatte urged the Resident District Commissioner to establish a district coordination committee and appealed to LC I chairpersons and Village Health Teams to intensify public awareness on the proper use of mosquito nets.
She also expressed concern over the misuse of mosquito nets during previous distribution campaigns.
"Some beneficiaries have used mosquito nets for poultry shelters, gardens and other purposes instead of sleeping under them. We urge residents to use them only for malaria prevention," she said.
Nakamatte added that the Kigezi Sub-region will be among the first areas to implement Uganda's malaria elimination strategy as the country works towards eliminating malaria by 2035.
Kabale District Health Educator and HIV Focal Person, Alfred Besigensi, also appealed to residents to use the nets exclusively for malaria prevention.
"Misusing these mosquito nets will undermine government efforts to eliminate malaria. Although Kabale records fewer malaria cases than many other districts, new infections continue to occur," Besigensi said.
He called upon the Resident District Commissioner, security agencies and local leaders to discourage the misuse of mosquito nets and urged residents who may not need them to allow redistribution to vulnerable households.
Officially launching the exercise, Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner Michael Muramira Kyakashari said the campaign comes at an important time, noting that isolated malaria cases continue to be reported in the district.
Kyakashari urged residents to sleep under the treated mosquito nets every night and warned against diverting or selling them to traders who illegally smuggle them into neighbouring countries.
He said the success of the campaign will depend on responsible use of the nets and collective community efforts to reduce malaria infections and ultimately eliminate the disease.
