Katakwi battles malaria with new larvicides initiative

The health ministry has launched a new initiative using larvicides to combat malaria in the eastern Uganda district of Katakwi.

Larvicides are specialised insecticides aimed at controlling mosquito populations both indoors and outdoors by targeting their larvae, effectively preventing them from maturing into adult mosquitoes.

Ministry assistant commissioner for vector-borne neglected tropical diseases Dr Alfred Mubangizi indicates that these chemicals will be applied in both natural and artificial breeding sites across the district.

The focus will be on spraying areas where the female anopheles mosquitoes breed, including pools, drainage systems, burrow pits, ponds, roadside pools, channels, and riverbed pools.

Mubangizi assured that these insecticides have demonstrated their effectiveness in the fight against malaria, highlighting their prior use in districts such as Namutumba, Pallisa, and Kibuku.

In Uganda, malaria remains the leading cause of death, illness, and poverty. The country allocates approximately $658 million (about shillings 1.6 trillion) annually to combat malaria, which constitutes 10 per cent of the ministry's budget.

Recurrent outbreaks

During the programme launch at the Katakwi district headquarters on Thursday, September 11, 2025, Vice President Jessica Alupo expressed the Government’s commitment to fostering a healthy and productive populace, essential for socio-economic growth and national development. 

She noted the Government's significant investments in disease prevention and treatment.

Alupo praised President Museveni for his leadership in advancing health initiatives and addressing major health threats, including malaria and HIV/AIDS.

She also addressed the challenges faced by Katakwi district, which has experienced recurrent malaria outbreaks despite existing control measures like indoor residual spraying, long-lasting insecticidal nets, and proper case management.

Malaria is a deadly vector-borne disease in Uganda, primarily transmitted through the bite of female anopheles mosquitoes. 

“The entire population is at risk of malaria, with children under five and pregnant women being particularly vulnerable,” she said.

Mosquitoes are responsible for spreading not just malaria, but also a range of other serious diseases, including lymphatic filariasis (also known as elephantiasis), yellow fever, the Zika virus, dengue fever, and Chikungunya.

The Vice President highlighted the importance of controlling mosquito populations, emphasizing that this action will help mitigate not only malaria but other significant public health threats as well.

She reiterated President Museveni's focus on prevention as a critical strategy for securing Uganda’s future.

“There is a pressing need to invest in disease prevention to lessen illness, reduce suffering, cut healthcare costs, and ultimately save lives,” she stated.

Vector control

Alupo expressed her satisfaction with the Ministry of Health's decision to incorporate larval source management, including larviciding, as part of their vector control efforts, and noted their collaboration with partners to expand these initiatives nationwide.

“This initiative must continue to receive support and be promoted within communities. It’s essential that we educate our citizens on how to identify breeding sites and how to manage them effectively—whether by filling in drains or clearing overgrown areas,” she added.

Alupo went on to explain that the Ministry has been successfully implementing this larviciding program in eleven districts that have faced malaria epidemics, and the positive impact has been evident.

Considering this success, she urged the Ministry of Health to extend the program to Katakwi District, which is also experiencing an epidemic.

She called on local government officials, local leaders, and community members to wholeheartedly embrace this program and provide the necessary backing to ensure its successful execution in all communities affected by malaria.

“While the Ministry of Health will provide resources such as larvicides and equipment, the real implementation will depend on our local teams under the supervision of the District Health Team. Therefore, I encourage you to take ownership of this initiative,” she stated.

The vice president reassured the community that the larvicide is composed of natural ingredients found in our environment, ensuring the safety of the people of Uganda, their livestock, and the ecosystem.

She expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health team, led by Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, for their unwavering commitment to delivering quality health services, their embrace of science and technology, and their reliance on data.

Katakwi LC5 chairperson Geoffrey Omolo highlighted the ongoing malaria issues in the district, noting the insufficient supply of antimalarials in local health facilities.