For over a decade, Uganda was hailed as a success story in the fight against malaria. Between 2009 and 2019, parasite prevalence among children under five fell from 45% to just 9%.
But new data signals a worrying reversal.
The 2024 Malaria Indicator Survey shows prevalence has risen to 12.5%, with some regions recording even higher spikes. The resurgence—driven in part by the 2021–2023 epidemic—added more than 3.3 million cases, underscoring how fragile progress can be without sustained interventions.
“This is a stark reminder that malaria remains Uganda’s leading public health threat,” said Jane Ruth Aceng.
“It accounts for 30% to 50% of outpatient visits and over 20% of hospital admissions, imposing a heavy toll on families and the health system.”
Beyond its health impact, malaria remains a major economic burden. The government estimates the disease costs more than US$577 million (about UGX 2.1 trillion) annually in treatment and lost productivity.
In response, Uganda has launched an ambitious plan to eliminate malaria by 2030. The strategy—known as the “Big Push”—is led by the Roll Back Malaria Partnership to End Malaria and aims to reduce malaria deaths to zero, cut incidence by 75%, and move at least 19 districts into a pre-elimination phase.
A key milestone came in April 2025, when Uganda rolled out the world’s largest malaria vaccination programme, introducing the R21/Matrix-M vaccine to 1.1 million children across 105 districts in its first year.
“We did not wait. We prepared, we mobilised, and we acted,” Aceng said. “A vaccine in storage does not prevent disease.” The country is also deploying additional tools, including next-generation mosquito nets, improved diagnostics, indoor spraying, and a “test, treat, and track” approach.
As a signatory to the Yaoundé Declaration, Uganda has positioned itself as a “pathfinder,” aiming to speed up access to new interventions through the Mass Action Against Malaria initiative.
Still, experts warn that success is far from guaranteed. Sarah Nakanwagi says sustained funding and community engagement will be critical. “Elimination is possible, but only if interventions are maintained and adapted to local realities,” she said. For families like Grace Nsibambi’s in eastern Uganda, malaria remains a constant threat.
“Last year, my youngest spent three weeks in the hospital,” she said. “Even with nets and medicine, the disease keeps coming back.” Her story reflects a broader reality: behind national statistics are millions of families still grappling with a disease that refuses to retreat.
Uganda’s renewed fight against malaria will test whether the country can turn scientific advances and political commitment into lasting progress—or risk losing the gains of the past decade.
