The Government of Uganda has commenced the distribution of mosquito nets in Kampala and Wakiso districts tomorrow, Friday 8th January, 2021. The distribution is part of Government’s move to eliminate Malaria in Uganda by the year 2030. His Excellency, the President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni officially launched the distribution of mosquito nets in Kampala and Wakiso Districts on Sunday 10th January 2020.
THE ‘UNDER THE NET’ CAMPAIGN
The Government of Uganda is conducting the third Universal Coverage Campaign for the distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide treated mosquito Nets (LLINs). The campaign dubbed ‘Under the Net’ started in August 2020 and will ensure the distribution of 27.5 million LLINs throughout the country.
The main objective of this campaign is to increase access and ownership of nets in communities across the country. This campaign is further expected to create a culture of net use and sustain the gains achieved by the previous campaigns which led to a reduction in the Malaria prevalence. This will also be an opportunity to educate the population on mosquito net use, care, repair and repurposing.
To-date, Government has distributed over 7 million nets across 90 districts across the country. Following the distribution in Kampala and Wakiso, only 9 districts will be yet to receive mosquito nets. Distribution in these districts is slated for February/March 2021.
KAMPALA AND WAKISO DISTRICTS
A total of over 14million mosquito nets covering over 3 million households will be distributed during the distribution exercise which will take place from Friday, 8th January 2021 to Wednesday, 13th January 2021, in Kampala and Wakiso.
During the distribution, the five divisions of Kampala will be used as the operational units. These are Kawempe, Makindye, Rubaga, Kampala Central and Nakawa Division.
In Wakiso, the major units of operation for the distribution will be; Bunamwaya, Busukuma, Bweyogerere, Central Division, Entebee Divison A, Entebbe Division B, Gombe Division, Kajjansi Town Council, Kakiri Town Council, Kasangati Town Council, Katabi Town council, Kyengera, Masajja, Masuulita, Namugongo, Nansana, Ndejje, Wakiso distrit Rural and Wakiso Town Council.
The distribution exercise involves registration of beneficiaries in all households followed by the distribution of mosquito nets. Our teams comprising of the Village Health Team members and Neighborhood watch will come to your household on Friday 08th and Saturday 09th January, 2021 to register all the members of your household. Distribution of mosquito nets will take place on Sunday 10th and Monday 11th January 2021 while following all COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The distribution points will be communicated by your VHTs
WHY ARE WE DISTRIBUTING IN KAMPALA AND WAKISO NOW?
Distribution for Kampala and Wakiso Districts was initially slated for December 2020. However, due to the festive season and predictions of the prolonged rainy season in January from the Meteorological Department, Ministry of Health deferred the distribution of mosquito nets in the aforementioned districts. Metrologists have advised that Kampala and Wakiso will remain wet.
Additionally, there is need to protect Kampala and Wakiso residents against Malaria especially with the non immune people having visited upcountry for Christmas. So this distribution exercise is likely to avert a Malaria upsurge in the two districts.
Additionally, as a Ministry, we re-prioritized distribution of mosquito nets to cover districts that were affected by the floods. Increased rains and floods are associated with increased rates of Malaria.
MALARIA BURDEN IN KAMPALA AND WAKISO
While the Malaria prevalence in Kampala and Wakiso District remains as low as 1%, it is important to note that Malaria kills at least 20 people in these districts daily.