Lango clan leaders pledge to mobilise for malaria vaccination

________________

Clan leaders in Lango have pledged to mobilise communities to embrace the malaria vaccination launched by the government through the health ministry. The immunisation targets 1.1 million children.

Speaking during the orientation of cultural leaders on malaria vaccine and routine immunisation, organised by the ministry on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Lira City Hall, they noted that there are people with a negative attitude toward the vaccine, which is a reason behind the low uptake.

Prof. Alex Ario of the Apacokwero Ngecayita clan, also the minister of health at the Lango Cultural Institution, said there is a lack of information about the vaccine and health system issues.

“Among us, there are people with a negative attitude toward vaccination, and this kind of meeting is a good approach because it will counter all negative messages about vaccines,” he said.

A clan leader speaking during the meeting at Lira City Hall. Clan leaders in Lango have pledged to mobilise communities to embrace the malaria vaccination. (Photo by Patrick Okino)

Ario, director of Uganda National Institute of Public Health in the ministry, recalled that they had a big trouble with the COVID-19 vaccine and then another bigger one with mpox, where they recorded the lowest vaccination.

He added that the Government has brought in a malaria vaccine, but “people are asking that malaria has been there and why are you bringing the vaccine now, is the vaccine safe?”

Two months ago, the Government launched a malaria vaccination campaign in Apac district, an initiative aimed at protecting 1.1 million children under the age of two across 107 high and moderate malaria transmission districts.

The new vaccine, R21/matrix-M is being administered in four doses at 6, 7, 8, and 18 months. With this, Uganda becomes the 19th African Country to introduce the malaria vaccine as part of its routine immunisation programs.

Lango Cultural Foundation prime minister Frederick Ogwal Oyee appreciated the Government for bringing cultural leaders on board.

Resistance

Ogwal, who worked with UNICEF, reminded people about the history of immunisation uptake, which comes with resistance from communities.

“It always faces resistance, but the key thing is that by the time immunisation is being introduced, it means that it has taken several years for the research,” he noted.

He added that there is a need for all leaders to get involved in the process to address low uptake but not only leave it to cultural leaders, the health ministry or the media.

According to Samson Ongebo, the biostatistician with Apac district local government, the vaccination in Lango is still moving at a slow pace, which requires urgent attention.

He explained that countrywide, the scoring is still standing at 25%, and the target is 90% for all the vaccination antigens.

He said in Lango, the biggest trouble is in Oyam district, which is below 50% but other districts like Apac, Lira and Lira City have scored 80% and other districts are still between 60-70%.

He encouraged communities, mothers and caregivers to bring their children for malaria vaccination because the vaccine has a target of four doses targeting children below five years.

He added that it is not a guarantee that once a child receives vaccination doesn’t contract malaria, but still encouraged the communities to use mosquito nets and clear nearby bushes to continue protecting them.

He added that the best benefit of the vaccine is that the malaria in children will no longer proceed to a severe state, which leads to complications like anaemia where the child loses blood, requires hospitalisation and eventually dies.

He added once a child has been vaccinated, the case will be mild, and it will go a long way in reducing severity and death.