Communications Department
October 2, 2026
MINISTER BARYOMUNSI LAUNCHES NATIONAL MEASLES-RUBELLA CAMPAIGN AND CALLS FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT.
The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, officially launched the National Measles-Rubella Immunization Campaign on 1st October 2026 at Wakiso Health Centre IV, calling on parents, guardians, teachers and communities to support the five-day exercise aimed at protecting children against preventable diseases.
The nationwide campaign, running from 1st to 5th October 2026, targets children aged 9 months to 5 years. The Ministry of Health is encouraging parents and guardians to ensure that all children in the target age group receive the vaccine, regardless of their previous immunization status.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Baryomunsi cautioned against misinformation and deliberate efforts to discourage communities from participating in the campaign. He said the Ministry had received reports of some religious groups, teachers and parents resisting or discouraging immunization in different parts of the country.
The Minister warned that individuals found deliberately obstructing the exercise would be held accountable, emphasizing that immunization remains a key public health intervention in protecting children from preventable diseases.
Dr. Baryomunsi highlighted Uganda’s progress in reducing illness and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases, noting that sustained immunization efforts have contributed significantly to improved health outcomes.
However, he noted that gaps in Measles-Rubella immunization coverage remain. While more than 90 percent of children received the first dose last year, only 64 percent received the second dose. The Ministry has therefore resolved to re-immunize all children within the target age group to close immunity gaps and strengthen protection against the diseases.
He assured the public that the vaccines being administered are safe and tested, urging communities to rely on information from health authorities and disregard misinformation and rumours.
At the launch, the District Chairperson Eng. Ian Kyeyune raised concerns over gaps in health infrastructure, equipment, medicines and staffing, particularly as the district continues to experience rapid population growth.
Eng. Kyeyune emphasized the need for a district hospital to strengthen referral services and improve access to healthcare. He also called for the upgrading of health facilities to respond to the increasing number of patients seeking services in Wakiso, including people from neighbouring areas and those working in Kampala.
In response, Dr. Baryomunsi said the process of establishing a district hospital is underway and that designs for the facility have already been completed. He also said he would visit health facilities in Wakiso to assess their needs.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, commended Village Health Teams for their contribution to extending health services to communities and urged parents and guardians to take eligible children to designated health facilities and immunization points.
She further encouraged families to embrace preventive health measures, including proper nutrition, hygiene, antenatal care and vaccination against cervical cancer.
The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Godfrey Kizza Rwakijuma, highlighted key investments in the district’s health sector during FY 2024/2025–2025/2026.
These include the construction of Buloba Health Centre III and Mutuba Gumu-Nangabo Health Centre III under the UGIFT programme, fencing of Zinga Health Centre III and construction of staff quarters at Wattuba Health Centre III.
He, however, noted that inadequate ambulance coverage and staffing gaps remain among the challenges affecting health service delivery.
The District Health Officer, Dr. Lugolobi Mathias, called for greater attention to hard-to-reach communities, particularly the island areas of Bussi, including support to improve transport for health service delivery and referrals.
The launch was attended by representatives from the Office of the Resident District Commissioner, State Minister for Primary Education Hon. Phyllis Chemutai, State Minister for Primary Health Care Hon. Dr. Charles Ayume, district leaders, health officials and other stakeholders.
The Ministry of Health continues to call upon parents and guardians to ensure that all eligible children receive the Measles-Rubella vaccine during the campaign as Uganda works to strengthen population immunity and prevent avoidable illness and deaths among children.
