According to the Ministry of Health Regional Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, Epi-Week 16 (13–19 April 2026), the Mubende region is currently grappling with a significant rise in malaria cases alongside various other critical public health challenges.
Malaria has solidified its position as the leading epidemic-prone disease in the region, with a total of 7,555 diagnosed cases during the week. The situation is particularly dire in Mityana, Nakaseke, and Kassanda districts, which have been officially classified as being in a malaria “upsurge”.
Tragically, the region recorded one malaria-related death in the Mubende district during this period. While health facilities achieved a 100% testing rate for suspected malaria, data indicates that 252 patients who tested negative were still treated for the disease, highlighting a need for stricter adherence to diagnostic results.
Beyond malaria, the bulletin identified several other pressing health concerns:
- Epidemic-Prone Diseases: There were 156 cases of Typhoid Fever, with the highest concentrations found in Nakaseke, Luwero, Mubende, and Kassanda. Additionally, the region recorded 351 cases of influenza-like illness and 40 cases of measles.
- Maternal and Perinatal Health: The region notified one maternal death in Mityana and 25 perinatal deaths, with fresh stillbirths (FSB) being the primary contributor. Furthermore, the regional rate for missed eMTCT (Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission) appointments reached 23%, significantly exceeding the Ministry of Health’s 15% target.
- Tuberculosis (TB): While the region screened 89% of outpatient department (OPD) clients for TB—just shy of the 90% target—it achieved a 100% success rate in starting treatment for all 65 newly diagnosed patients.
- Reporting and Surveillance: Administrative challenges persist, as the regional reporting rate declined slightly to 65.7%. Although timeliness improved to 50.1%, it remains well below the national target of 80%.
To mitigate these risks, the regional health team is urging the community to utilize the free SMS alert system (6767) to report any disease rumors or suspicious symptoms early. District health authorities are also recommended to boost TB screening at high-volume facilities and investigate the reported clusters of typhoid and other illnesses to confirm diagnoses and prevent further spread
