Antibiotic overuse deaths soar amid calls for caution
Citing statistics, Byarugaba says in 2021, out of 47,821 deaths due to bacterial infections in Uganda, 26,839 were associated with antimicrobial resistance, and over 5,616 deaths were directly attributable to AMR.
Prof Denis Byarugaba, the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS), chair of the Antimicrobial Resistance, (ARM) vaccination committee addresses journalists during the Policy and Research round table discussion at Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala on June 18, 2025. (Photos by Juliet Kasirye)
By Juliet Kasirye
Journalists @New Vision
________________
The growing misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals is fuelling the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Scientists say antimicrobial-resistant organisms are those infectious microorganisms that are resistant to either antibiotics for bacteria or other treatments for antivirals or anti-parasites.
According to Antimicrobial Resistance (ARM) vaccination committee chairperson at the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS), Prof. Denis Byarugaba, deaths related to antimicrobial resistance in Uganda have surpassed those caused by respiratory infections such as tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, malaria and cancer.
Byarugaba says many people are dying due to infections that are unresponsive to available antibiotics.
Citing statistics, he says in 2021, out of 47,821 deaths due to bacterial infections in Uganda, 26,839 were associated with antimicrobial resistance, and over 5,616 deaths were directly attributable to AMR.
"We are losing a significant number of people, not just directly to AMR but also due to complications arising from resistant organisms. These individuals often have prolonged hospital stays, during which they may contract other infections that can be more aggressive than the original resistant organism,” Byarugaba says.
Prof Damalie Nakanjako addresses journalists during the Policy and Research round table discussion at Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala on 18th June 2025. 
He made the remarks during the Policy and Research round table discussion organised by the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership Uganda and the Uganda National Academy of Sciences at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kampala on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.
To prevent vaccineable diseases, scientists advise Ugandans to take advantage of available vaccines.
During the roundtable discussions, experts explored actionable strategies to integrate vaccination and AMR in their different spheres of practice.
Byarugaba said vaccines are key in enabling the body to generate mechanisms to prevent infections. When the body is equipped to fight off infections, it can effectively combat organisms that may be resistant to antibiotics.
Since prevention is better than cure, Byarugaba said: “If you vaccinate, you enable the body to defend itself instead of waiting for you to be infected and then treatment.”
He further explained that if you get infected with an organism resistant to available antibiotics, treatment becomes impossible, and the outcome can be fatal. However, vaccination allows the body to handle even resistant organisms.
“Diagnosis is the cornerstone for infectious disease management. It is vital to know what you are treating. Ugandans need to access diagnostic technologies to determine the type of bacteria and the antibiotics they respond to.” Byarugaba stressed.
"With support from partners, the Government has rolled out diagnostic testing for susceptibility of organisms at regional referral hospitals. If this is extended to all the health care facilities in future, it will enable patients to receive targeted treatment and reduce the misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics,” added Byarugaba.
The professor of medicine at Makerere University, Damalie Nakanjako, warned that antibiotic resistance is on the rise and is projected to become a leading cause of death by 2050, surpassing cancer.
“If we don't change our behaviour and actions regarding antibiotic use, the consequences will be dire. It is crucial to only take antibiotics when prescribed after thorough testing," Nakanjako said.
Investment in health
Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunisation advisor Dr Possy Mugyenyi urged the Government to allocate more funding not only to procure vaccines but also to educate the public about the benefits of these vaccines.
Since most of the vaccines are donor-funded, Mugyenyi said: “There is a need to prioritise vaccination in healthcare financing. I assure you that vaccines are safe and effective. Vaccines that enter the country are thoroughly analysed and evaluated by our local scientists and regulatory bodies, such as the National Drug Authority, and be safe."