Researchers at the Makerere University Lung Institute are calling for a nationwide rollout of targeted interventions to improve tuberculosis (TB) screening and treatment uptake among men.
The call follows a six-year study conducted in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, which found that simple, gender-sensitive adjustments in TB services can significantly increase men’s access to care.
Uganda remains among the 30 high TB burden countries globally. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 99,000 people developed TB in 2024, with men accounting for 65 percent of cases.
Winters Muttamba, a research scientist at the institute, says these disparities can be reduced through tailored approaches such as deploying male health workers and extending clinic hours to evenings to better suit working men.
The interventions were co-designed with men and piloted in selected hospitals. Results showed a 51 percent increase in TB notifications among men in intervention areas, without affecting rates among women. Researchers also recorded improved retention in care.
The study went further to examine life after treatment. Working with TB survivors, researchers identified gaps in recovery support. Many patients experience long-term lung damage, but engaging survivors helped shape rehabilitation programmes tailored to their needs. Participants were enrolled in rehabilitation lasting three to six months.
Bruce Kirenga, a senior lecturer in pulmonary medicine, says deeply rooted gender norms are a major barrier.
“Men are often encouraged to endure illness without seeking help, which fuels the spread of a preventable disease,” he said, urging men to prioritise their health.
The findings come as the World Health Organization calls on countries to rethink TB care, with new guidelines emphasising community-led approaches to detection and prevention.
The “Leaving No One Behind: Transforming Gendered Pathways to Health for TB (LIGHT)” study was also conducted in Kenya, Malawi, and Nigeria, highlighting a broader regional challenge.
Government officials say some of the recommendations are already being adopted. Henry Luzze, Assistant Commissioner in the National TB and Leprosy Programme, says mass screening is being expanded to male-dominated workplaces.
He noted that men continue to bear the greatest burden of TB in Uganda, underscoring the need for targeted strategies to close the gap in access to care.
