Residents of Busujju County in Buganda Kingdom have been urged to play a more active role in preventing deadly diseases through improved hygiene, early detection, and adherence to public health guidelines.
The call was made during a health sensitisation training held at Malangala Health Centre IV in Malangala Sub-county.
The training brought together Village Health Teams (VHTs), health workers and representatives from Buganda Kingdom as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen disease prevention and community health awareness.
The initiative was organised by the Buganda Kingdom through the Ministry of Social Development in partnership with the Office of the Nnabagereka and officials from the Ministry of Health.
The campaign seeks to equip communities with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, Mpox and other public health threats.
Speaking during the training, the Second Deputy County Chief of Busujju County, Ssalongo Ssabalamu Henry, commended Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II for prioritising the health and wellbeing of his subjects through community outreach programmes.
“We are grateful to the Kabaka for supporting initiatives that bring health services and health education closer to the people. These programmes are helping communities understand how to protect themselves from preventable diseases,” he said.
However, he expressed concern that some residents continue to neglect disease prevention measures, particularly in communities located near Lake Wamala, where malaria and HIV/AIDS remain significant challenges.
“Although awareness has improved, there is still a level of complacency among some residents. We must continue educating communities about the dangers of malaria, HIV and other diseases that continue to affect our people,” he added.
The Chief of Malangala Sub-county under Buganda Kingdom, Ddungu Edward Nyonyi Ntono, urged local leaders and health workers to follow up on households that have received mosquito nets to ensure they are used for their intended purpose.
“Government and development partners invest resources to provide mosquito nets. Community leaders should monitor their usage and ensure they are protecting families rather than being diverted to other activities,” he said.
Health educator Abdallah Kayongo from the Ministry of Health encouraged Village Health Teams to intensify public sensitisation campaigns, emphasising that community awareness remains one of the strongest tools in preventing disease outbreaks.
“Village Health Teams are the first line of defence in public health. They must continue educating households about proper hygiene, sanitation and the importance of seeking medical attention early,” Kayongo said.
Meanwhile, David Muwonge, the Health Coordinator in the Ministry of Social Development and the Office of the Nnabagereka, urged both VHTs and community members to remain vigilant against emerging diseases such as Ebola.
“The fight against deadly diseases requires collective responsibility. Communities must receive accurate information and act promptly whenever signs of disease outbreaks emerge,” Muwonge noted.
Despite progress made through community health education programmes, participants highlighted several challenges affecting their work, including inadequate equipment and limited resources needed to effectively carry out disease prevention activities at village level.
The training forms part of broader efforts by Buganda Kingdom and its partners to strengthen grassroots health systems, improve public awareness and reduce the burden of preventable diseases across Busujju County and other parts of the Kingdom.