Jinja residents warned against hesitancy as district launches yellow fever vaccination drive

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Jinja authorities have been warned against vaccine hesitancy as district authorities join 16 counterparts in undertaking the mass vaccination against yellow fever.

The warning by assistant Jinja Resident District Commissioner George William Bameka was made during the launch of the exercise at the district headquarters on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. 

During the same event, chief administrative officer (CAO) Lillian Nakamatte also urged the public to embrace the drive to boost their immunity against yellow fever. 

“We are aware that once one is bitten by a mosquito that spreads this disease when they were not vaccinated, chances of surviving are very rare. So, let's have this one life shot to save our lives,” she said.

Paul Mubiwa, the Principal chief finance officer after recieving his shot at the launch of the yellow fever vaccination at the Jinja district headquarters. (Photo by Jackie Nambogga)

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 mosquitoes, ticks or other arthropods) transmitted to humans by the bites of infected Aedes and Haemagogus mosquitoes. 

“It is good I am the first civil servant to have the shot, and this confirms that it is very safe, let our communities embrace it,” Bameka said.

Lydia Sarah Nakimuli, the assistant district officer maternal and child health, said they sought permission from the CAO and RDC to hold the launch at the district with an aim of extending their services nearer to the staff.

The one-week exercise started on Tuesday and will run until October 6, targeting participants aged between one and 60 years.

Good choice of location

Accordingly, Tony Mutiibwa said the venue of the launch was ideal for the civil servants as they all belonged to the targeted age group.

He regretted how the majority of civil servants were being locked out of government initiatives after being caught up at their workplaces.

“We have held campaigns before, but in most cases, civil servants don’t embrace them because of their work schedules, and it is the reason for launching it from here to ensure that they don’t miss out this time,” Mutiibwa said.

Nakamatte also said a health public force and members of the community were key to fostering economic growth at the family, community and district level.

Since the RDC, departmental heads and their juniors had received their shots, Mutiibwa said this would lead the public to believe in the vaccines.

The health ministry announced the vaccination exercise in 17 selected districts of Busoga and Mubende regions, effective September 30, until October 6, 2025, after a death case was confirmed last April in Kibuku district.

Since a reactive campaign held in the districts of Kaliro and Namutumba in Busoga, Beatrice Mutonyi, a senior nurse at the division of vaccines and immunisation under the national disease control programme/department at the health ministry, said the two were excluded, hence carrying out the exercise in 10 entities.

These include Luuka, Mayuge, Bugiri, Jinja, Kamuli, Buyende, Namayingo, Bugweri, Iganga and Jinja city.

Meanwhile, seven districts of Mubende region such as Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Mubende, Mityana and Kasanda were also conducting the vaccination exercise.

The vaccination team were targeting schools, markets, trading centres, including all health units.