By Uziah Tusaasire
The Government of Uganda, through the National Medical Stores (NMS), has officially flagged off the fifth Universal Coverage Campaign for the distribution of Insecticide-Treated Mosquito Nets (ITNs), marking a major step in the fight against malaria.
The flag-off ceremony was held at the NMS Head Office in Kajjansi and presided over by the Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng. The campaign aims to reduce malaria-related illness and deaths by achieving over 80 percent universal coverage, in line with the Uganda Malaria Strategic Plan 2025–2030.
Under the campaign, a total of 25.8 million mosquito nets will be distributed across 130 districts countrywide, excluding districts already fully covered under the Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) programme.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Aceng described malaria as a persistent public health challenge in Uganda. She revealed that findings from the 2025 Malaria Indicator Survey show malaria prevalence has risen to 12.5 percent, up from 9.2 percent in 2018. She further cited the World Malaria Report 2024, which indicates that Uganda accounts for five percent of global malaria cases—ranking third worldwide—and 2.7 percent of global malaria-related deaths, placing the country ninth globally.
The General Manager of National Medical Stores, Moses Kamabare, reaffirmed NMS’s commitment to ensuring the efficient, transparent, and accountable delivery of the mosquito nets to intended beneficiaries across the country.
The nationwide campaign is funded by the Government of Uganda with support from the Global Fund to Fight HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria, alongside additional support from the United States Government.
The campaign is funded by the Government of Uganda, with support from the Global Fund to Fight HIV, TB and Malaria, and additional support from the United States Government.
