Uganda recorded an increase in maternal deaths during the latest epidemiological reporting week, while suspected typhoid and dysentery cases rose above national alert thresholds, according to the Ministry of Health’s Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin.
The Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin for Week 18, covering April 27 to May 3, 2026, reported 15 maternal deaths during the week, up from 11 deaths recorded the previous week. The cumulative number of maternal deaths reported this year has reached 270.
“There was 15 maternal deaths reported this week, a increase of 4 from the last week’s reported deaths 11,” the bulletin stated. “The cumulative maternal reported deaths this year are 270.”
The ministry also warned that suspected typhoid fever and dysentery cases had surpassed national alert thresholds.
“The observed cases for typhoid fever and dysentery cases were above the alert threshold. This warrants investigation,” the bulletin noted.
The report highlighted gaps in disease surveillance reporting despite improvements in overall national reporting rates.
According to the bulletin, nine of Uganda’s 15 regions achieved the national target of 80% completeness for weekly epidemiological reports, while only seven regions met the target for timeliness. National reporting completeness stood at 78.3%, while timeliness was recorded at 60.1%.
“We recommend that district biostatisticians work with their health workers to identify and address bottlenecks to reporting,” the bulletin said.
The report also showed continued public health threats from measles, anthrax and mpox outbreaks across the country.
Uganda registered 4,021 disease surveillance signals during the week, of which 159 were triaged and 17 verified. Ebola-related alerts accounted for 27 signals, while mpox accounted for eight.
Anthrax surveillance data showed that 13 suspected anthrax samples were collected during the week, with eight testing positive.
“Cumulative positive Anthrax samples: Forty seven (47),” the bulletin stated, noting that positive samples had been reported from districts including Amudat, Kanungu, Kazo, Kween and Kitagwenda.
The bulletin further reported 228 perinatal deaths during the week, a decline from 283 deaths reported in Week 17.
“There were 228 perinatal deaths reported this week, a decrease by 55 deaths reported in week 17,” the report stated. “The cumulative perinatal deaths this year are 5,094.”
Uganda’s cumulative mpox cases stood at 8,001 across 121 districts, with 52 deaths recorded since the outbreak began in July 2024.
