Health officials and local leaders in Moroto District have raised alarm over an increasing number of Tuberculosis (TB) cases, with between 200 and 300 patients diagnosed every three months. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the population of Moroto District is around 123,800 people.
The sub-counties of Rupa and Loputuk have recorded the highest infection rates, with the surge attributed to HIV/AIDS prevalence, malnutrition among children, and certain social practices within the community.
TB’s highly infectious nature is worsened by cultural practices like sharing tobacco and communal drinking of local brews known as kwete. These behaviors, combined with close contact among family members, have made children particularly vulnerable.
Dr. James Lemukol, the Moroto District Health Officer, warned that the situation was approaching pandemic levels due to the rapid spread of the disease. “We are taking an aggressive approach to detect and control infections in the community,” Dr. Lemukol said.
Efforts include prioritizing early detection through screenings, especially for children and HIV-positive individuals. TB remains a leading cause of death among HIV-positive patients, complicating the district’s health challenges.
To curb the spread, health facilities have intensified TB screening for all patients and rolled out community outreach programs. Health workers are collecting samples from individuals with symptoms such as persistent coughing and conducting contact tracing for confirmed cases.
Dr. Lemukol acknowledged that improved interventions, including support from the National TB Control Program, have led to progress. The program supplies medications for both adults and children. However, limited resources, such as the lack of diagnostic equipment like X-ray machines, remain a challenge. The district currently relies on a mobile X-ray truck to fill this gap.
In Nadunget Town Council, TB cases have dropped significantly, with monthly diagnoses now ranging from two to four patients, according to Dr. Philip Lote, in charge of Nadunget Health Center IV. However, he warned that unrestricted socialization and movement could reverse these gains.
Emmanuel Lokii, LC5 councilor for Rupa Sub-county, voiced concerns over the increasing cases in his area. He attributed the rise to practices like sharing alcohol and sniffing tobacco, which facilitate transmission. Lokii said local leaders are educating communities on prevention and urging those infected to seek medical care. “Many residents dismiss TB as an ordinary cough treatable with herbs, which undermines our efforts,” he noted.
Health officials plan to scale up interventions including awareness campaigns and strengthening diagnostic capacity, to curb the disease’s spread and save lives.