The Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Public Health Emergency Operations Centre has raised concern over persistent malaria, tuberculosis and measles cases across northern Uganda in its epidemiological bulletin for week 20 of 2026.
The bulletin, released for the reporting week ending May 17, 2026, highlighted low reporting rates in Gulu District and Gulu City, warning that poor timeliness and incomplete weekly reporting could compromise disease surveillance and response efforts in the region.
According to the bulletin, malaria remained the leading epidemic-prone disease in the region, followed by measles, with continued deaths linked to the conditions.
Agago district recorded the highest number of malaria-positive cases at 3,686 during week 20, while Gulu and Kitgum districts registered some of the highest malaria positivity rates. Four malaria-related deaths were reported across the region during the week. The report also flagged concerns over data quality in Amuru and Omoro districts, where the number of malaria-positive patients reportedly treated exceeded confirmed positive test results.
The bulletin also highlighted ongoing tuberculosis surveillance challenges. Gulu City recorded the highest cumulative tuberculosis burden in the region, while Nwoya district registered the highest tuberculosis case detection rate despite not having the highest screening rate.
Health officials further warned of high missed appointments in prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services across most districts, calling for stronger retention interventions. The report additionally noted cases of measles, dysentery, influenza-like illness, suspected rabies, typhoid fever and maternal deaths, underscoring the region’s multiple disease surveillance challenges.
