Hundreds turn up for mass yellow fever vaccination in Kyankwanzi
The vaccination campaign was officially launched at Butemba College Senior Secondary School, bringing together health officials, district leaders and students to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination against the virus.
Health officials vaccinating residents in Kyankwanzi on Wednesday. (Credit: Wilson Asiimwe)
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Hundreds of people turned up for the free yellow fever vaccination exercise in Kyankwanzi as the district launched the mass exercise on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
The vaccination campaign was officially launched at Butemba College Senior Secondary School, bringing together health officials, district leaders and students to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination against the virus.
Yellow fever vaccination is one of the most effective and important means of preventing yellow fever, which is transmitted when an infected mosquito bites someone.
Yellow fever, according to the World Health Organisation, is an epidemic-prone mosquito-borne vaccine-preventable disease that is transmitted to humans by the bites of infected mosquitoes. Yellow fever is caused by an arbovirus (a virus transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks or other arthropods) transmitted to humans by the bites of infected Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes.
Moses Mwishaka, a senior epidemiologist from the health ministry, said they are working with other partners for the campaign.
“Since Yellow Fever is a viral infection with no cure, vaccination is the best way to prevent it. The vaccine offers lifelong protection; each vaccinated person will receive a card, which can be used to obtain a Yellow Fever certificate for international travel,” Mwishaka said.
Kyankwanzi Resident District Commissioner Sharon Ankunda praised the Government for organising the vaccination campaign and encouraged students to embrace the exercise.
“I'm happy that many people have turned up for the exercise, and as a district leader, we are appealing to our communities to utilise this opportunity and get vaccinated,” Ankunda said.
John Mpuuga, a resident of Kyankwanzi town council, urged people to take advantage of the vaccination opportunity, emphasising that accessing the vaccine after the campaign would be challenging.
Chief administrative officer Fred Kizito Mukasa shared his personal experience of missing a flight to China due to a lack of a Yellow Fever certificate, highlighting the importance of getting vaccinated. He encouraged students to spread the word about the campaign to their peers.
He said the vaccination campaign aims to protect the community from Yellow Fever, and it is essential for residents to participate and stay informed about the disease and its prevention.
Samuel Sebitebe, the headteacher of Butemba College Secondary School, expressed gratitude to the district for choosing his school to host the launch.
District Health Officer Dr John Serebe emphasised the importance of adhering to health principles, particularly immunisation, to stay safe from Yellow Fever. He urged students to take advantage of the vaccination opportunity.