According to the Bunyoro Regional Emergency Operations Centre Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin (Epi-Week 16, April 13–19, 2026), the region has achieved a significant administrative victory by surpassing national targets for both completeness (89.9%) and timeliness (84%) of surveillance reporting for the first time this year.
While this data transparency is a major win for the Ministry of Health, the underlying figures reveal a region under significant pressure from multiple disease outbreaks.
Measles has now spread to 78% of the Bunyoro region, leaving only the Hoima and Masindi districts currently free of suspected cases.
During this reporting week, 30 measles cases were recorded, with Kiryandongo district alone accounting for 21 suspected cases. This widespread transmission has triggered calls for a coordinated regional response and the activation of a regional task force to support the five districts currently managing confirmed outbreaks.
Simultaneously, the region is battling a major malaria upsurge that has taken hold in six districts, including Hoima City, Hoima, Kibaale, Kikuube, Kiryandongo, and Masindi. A total of 10,665 confirmed malaria cases were reported during the week.
While the region maintained a nearly perfect 100% testing rate for suspected cases, clinical adherence to the “test and treat” policy remains problematic. Specifically, 227 patients were treated for malaria despite testing negative, with the highest violations occurring in Kakumiro (112 cases) and Kagadi (91 cases).
In Kikuube, the number of treatments administered actually reached 136% of the confirmed positive cases.
Beyond these primary outbreaks, the bulletin noted other critical health alerts:
- Respiratory and Gastric Illnesses: A surge of 46 influenza-like illness cases was identified in Hoima City, while Buliisa recorded 16 cases of dysentery.
- Maternal and Perinatal Health: For the fourth consecutive week, the region recorded no maternal deaths. However, perinatal deaths remain an issue, with 8 recorded during this period.
- HIV/PMTCT Challenges: The region continues to struggle with high rates of missed PMTCT (Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission) appointments, which reached 71% in Kikuube district.
- Tuberculosis Response: The region achieved a 92% screening rate for TB at all entry points, with 97% of newly diagnosed patients successfully started on treatment.
To address these escalating threats, health officials are urging the public to utilize the free SMS alert system (6767) or the toll-free line (0800255205) to report any suspicious symptoms or community health rumors immediately.
