Prevention efforts intensify as Uganda loses over sh1 trillion to malaria

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Uganda is losing an estimated sh1.02 trillion annually to malaria, health minister Jane Ruth Aceng has warned, describing it as a staggering economic burden that continues to drain household incomes, weaken productivity and strain the country’s healthcare system.

Speaking during the retreat of the ruling National Resistance Movement in Kyankwanzi that comes to a close on Tuesday (April 14), Aceng cited estimates from the World Bank, noting that the disease remains one of the biggest obstacles to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

“Every shilling spent on malaria prevention returns multiple shillings in preserved human capital. This is not an expense, it is Uganda’s best investment,” Aceng said.

She emphasised that malaria’s impact goes far beyond hospitals, affecting school attendance, reducing workforce productivity and forcing families to divert income towards treatment instead of essential needs such as food, education and investment.

According to the Ministry of Health, malaria remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in Uganda, despite being both preventable and treatable.

The persistence of the disease continues to expose structural gaps in prevention, particularly at household and community levels.

Prevention efforts intensify

In response, the government is intensifying efforts to shift from treatment to prevention, a strategy health officials say is more sustainable and cost-effective in the long run.

One of the most significant interventions underway is a nationwide mosquito net distribution campaign valued at sh365 billion, aimed at accelerating progress towards a malaria-free Uganda by 2030.

While representing the health minister at a recent press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, Dr Richard Kabanda said the campaign is part of the country’s broader malaria elimination strategy and aligns with national development priorities.

“This campaign is part of the Uganda Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan and contributes to our broader goal of achieving a malaria-free Uganda, in line with Uganda Vision 2040 and our national development agenda,” Kabanda said.

The campaign targets the distribution of 25.8 million long-lasting insecticide-treated nets across all 130 districts in 2026.

Funded jointly by the Government of Uganda, the Global Fund and the United States government, the initiative is expected to significantly reduce malaria transmission if properly implemented.

Health officials say mosquito nets remain one of the most effective tools in malaria prevention. When used consistently and correctly, they can reduce malaria transmission by up to 50 percent and lower child mortality rates by as much as 25 percent.

However, despite years of interventions, the malaria burden remains high. Uganda accounts for 4.7 percent of global malaria cases, ranking third worldwide, and 2.7 percent of global deaths, placing it ninth globally.

In 2025 alone, the country recorded over 11.7 million malaria cases and 2,342 deaths, with more than half of the fatalities occurring among children under five, the most vulnerable group.

Recent data also shows a worrying trend, with the 2024 Malaria Indicator Survey indicating that prevalence has risen to 12.5 percent, up from 9.2 percent in 2018/2019.

Health experts attribute this increase to climate variability, biological threats and declining adherence to prevention measures among communities.

To address these challenges, the government is rolling out the mosquito net campaign in five phases throughout 2026 to ensure nationwide coverage.

The first phase has already delivered millions of nets, while subsequent phases will extend to more districts, including major urban areas such as Kampala and Wakiso.