Rabies vaccination campaign launched in Jinja to tackle disease hotspot
The initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF) Germany and the Jinja District Local Government.
The Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Jinja, Samuel Kawuta (left), looks on as a dog is vaccinated during the launch of the rabies vaccination campaign at Nakajjo Health Centre III in Buyengo Town Council, Jinja District, on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)
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A mass rabies vaccination campaign has been launched in Jinja district in a major boost to public health and animal welfare, contributing to Uganda's goal of eliminating rabies by 2030.
The initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF) Germany and the Jinja District Local Government.
Funded by the German-based Deutsche Postcode Lotterie, the campaign targets rabies hotspots through mass vaccination of animals, population control and community awareness.
Timely intervention for hotspot communities
Speaking at the launch at Nakajjo Health Centre III in Buyengo town council, Jinja district, on July 7, 2026, VSF Germany Uganda programme manager Dr Naome Alowo said the campaign forms part of a broader national strategy.
"This campaign is aimed at eliminating rabies across Uganda by 2030. We are currently conducting this program across three districts, which include Jinja, Buikwe, and Namisindwa, which are currently the hotspots for rabies in Uganda," Dr Alowo stated.
To support the exercise, VSF Germany has handed over 3,000 doses of rabies vaccine to the Jinja District Local Government through the district veterinary officer.
The organisation also donated visibility materials to support community awareness campaigns and essential medicines for the treatment of sick animals.
Some of the residents who turned up with their dogs for vaccination during the launch of the rabies vaccination campaign at Nakajjo Health Centre III in Buyengo Town Council, Jinja District, on July 7, 2026. Looking on is Samuel Kawuta (second left), the Assistant Resident District Commissioner of Jinja. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)
Tackling the stray dog problem
The campaign was launched in Buyengo town council, an area heavily affected by stray dogs.
Jinja district veterinary officer Dr Florence Nahamya said sugarcane plantations in the area have become breeding and hiding grounds for large numbers of stray dogs, resulting in an increase in attacks.
"In the last year, there have been cases all over the district. In Buyengo, dogs have bitten livestock, including small goats and piglets, as well as children," Dr Nahamya explained.
In addition to the vaccines, Dr Nahamya said VSF Germany has supplied specialised surgical kits that will be used to spay and castrate dogs as part of efforts to humanely control the growing stray dog population.
Protecting children through awareness
Field vaccinations are scheduled to begin on July 8 and will run for five days.
Jinja assistant resident district commissioner Samuel Kawuta urged residents to embrace the campaign.
"Rabies is a very dangerous disease. It kills. When a vaccinated dog bites you, it will not cause such fatal harm to human beings," Kawuta said.
A veterinary doctor vaccinates a dog against rabies during the launch of the rabies vaccination campaign at Nakajjo Health Centre III in Buyengo Town Council, Jinja District, on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)
Warning to pet owners
Representing the mayor of Buyengo town council, deputy mayor Agnes Kuguminkiriza welcomed the intervention but warned pet owners against failing to participate.
Kuguminkiriza urged residents to present their dogs and cats for the free vaccination exercise, warning that owners who fail to comply risk arrest for endangering public health.
Call for improved health services
Kuguminkiriza also appealed to the government to provide additional support to complete Nakajjo Health Centre III and recruit more staff to improve healthcare services for residents of Buyengo.
Immediately after the launch, about 15 dogs were vaccinated in Izuru parish, with owners restraining their animals as veterinary officers vaccinated them one by one.