Malaria: Yumbe gears up for another indoor residual spray campaign
The IRS program, a government initiative aimed at eliminating malaria by killing mosquitoes, was first rolled out in Yumbe in 2022.
The IRS campaign is expected to significantly boost the district’s fight against malaria, saving lives and thereby having a healthy population. (Credit: Adam Gule)
The IRS taskforce team at the home of the Yumbe RDC Yumbe during the official launch of the program on Thursday (September 25, 2025). (Credit: Adam Gule)
YUMBE - Yumbe District Local Government, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, on Thursday launched the 4th round of Indoor Residual Spray (IRS), starting with the household of the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Yumbe.
The IRS program, a government initiative aimed at eliminating malaria by killing mosquitoes, was first rolled out in Yumbe in 2022.
At the time, the district ranked among the highest malaria-burdened areas in the country, with prevalence rates of over 60% and accounting for nearly half of all malaria-related deaths locally.
Since the introduction of IRS, the malaria burden has drastically dropped to 15% as of the end of the last financial year.
Dr. George Angupale Ukobua, the Acting District Health Officer, revealed that Yumbe has received a package to cover at least 264,782 households, including refugee communities.
Silmani Kigongo, a supervisor from the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the chemical being used has been proven to be highly effective in killing mosquitoes. He urged residents and local leaders to cooperate to ensure smooth implementation.
Yumbe RDC, Hajji Sulaiman Lubwama Bukya, applauded the government for prioritising the health of citizens and warned against any resistance during the exercise.
Meanwhile, Abassi Mansur, the Senior District Health Educator, advised residents to strictly follow the IRS guidelines. He cautioned households against covering the walls with any other chemical, including painting, until after nine months—the period required for the chemical to remain effective.
He also encouraged families to continue using mosquito nets.
The IRS campaign is expected to significantly boost the district’s fight against malaria, saving lives and thereby having a healthy population.