Health officials in Uganda’s Mubende region have reported more than 8,000 malaria cases and one malaria-related death during epidemiological week 18, while also warning of rising typhoid, respiratory infections and suspected measles cases across the region.
The latest weekly bulletin from the Regional Emergency Operations Centre at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital said malaria remained the leading epidemic-prone disease in the region during the week of April 27 to May 3, 2026.
“The region registered one malaria related death in Mubende district in the period under review,” the bulletin stated.
Officials recorded 8,094 malaria cases in the region during the reporting period, with 3,751 testing positive for malaria, representing a positivity rate of 30%.
Health workers said all patients suspected of having malaria were tested, and all 3,695 confirmed positive cases received treatment. However, the report noted that 236 patients who tested negative for malaria were still treated for the disease, alongside three people who were treated without being tested.
Kassanda district remained the only area experiencing a malaria upsurge, while other districts in the region were within normal malaria transmission levels, according to the report.
The region also recorded several other epidemic-prone diseases, including 165 typhoid fever cases, 113 influenza-like illness cases, 96 severe acute respiratory infection cases and 41 suspected measles cases.
Officials said Nakaseke, Luwero, Mubende and Kassanda districts had the highest numbers of typhoid fever cases and urged district surveillance officers and biostatisticians to verify whether the diagnoses reflected true outbreaks.
The bulletin also documented 36 suspected rabies cases linked to animal bites, 30 dysentery cases and 17 hepatitis cases during the reporting week.
Tuberculosis screening remained below the Ministry of Health target. The region screened 87% of outpatient department clients for TB, falling short of the ministry’s 90% benchmark. Kiboga and Nakaseke districts registered the lowest screening rates.
Of those screened, 6.9% were diagnosed with TB, and all confirmed patients were started on treatment, according to the report.
On maternal and child health, the region reported no maternal deaths during the week but recorded 13 perinatal deaths, with early neonatal deaths contributing the largest share.
The report further showed that missed appointments among mothers enrolled in programs to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV stood at 18%, exceeding the Ministry of Health target of 15%. Kiboga and Mityana districts were the only areas to meet the national target.
Regional health officials said they were continuing to engage districts to improve disease reporting, strengthen surveillance and reduce missed clinic appointments.
